Using the Morisky 8-Item Questions to identify the patients intentional or unintentional medication taking behavior.

Medication adherence plays a crucial role in ensuring the effectiveness of medical treatments. However, studies have shown that a significant number of individuals experience difficulties in adhering to their prescribed medication regimens. To shed light on this important topic each question of the morisky scale is designed to uncover the distinction between intentional and unintentional medication non-adherence, offering valuable insights for both patients and healthcare providers.

1. Do you sometimes forget to take your medication(s)?
This question primarily addresses unintentional medication non-adherence. Forgetting to take medications can occur due to a lapse in memory or a lack of established routines. It is an unintentional act that may negatively impact treatment outcomes.

2. People sometimes miss taking their medications for reasons other than forgetting. Thinking over the past two weeks, were there any days when you did not take your medication(s) ?

This query focuses on intentional non-adherence. It prompts individuals to reflect on specific instances where they may have missed taking their medication(s) altogether for reasons other than forgetting, providing an indication of potential adherence challenges.

3. Have you ever cut back or stopped taking your medication(s) without telling your doctor because you felt worse when you took it?
This question addresses intentional medication non-adherence. It uncovers instances where patients consciously choose to modify or discontinue their medication(s) without consulting their healthcare provider. Patients may perceive their medication(s) as worsening their condition or experience undesirable side effects, leading to intentional non-adherence.

4. When you travel or leave home, do you sometimes forget to bring along your medication(s)?
Similar to the first question, this pertains to unintentional non-adherence. The act of forgetting to bring medication(s) when traveling or leaving home may stem from disruptions to daily routines or a lack of preparedness. It highlights the importance of developing strategies to ensure medication availability during such situations.

5. Did you take your medication(s) yesterday?
This question pertains to intentional non-adherence and is a straightforward inquiry about adherence on a specific day, enabling patients to recall their medication intake. It can help identify patterns and provide insight into individual adherence behaviors.

6. When you feel like your health condition is under control, do you sometimes stop taking your medication(s)?
This question probes unintentional non-adherence. Patients may believe that their health condition no longer requires ongoing treatment when they perceive improvements or symptom relief. Such perceptions can lead to a discontinuation of medication(s) without medical advice, potentially jeopardizing treatment outcomes.

7. Taking medication(s) every day is a real inconvenience for some people. Do you ever feel hassled about sticking to your treatment plan?
This question addresses intentional non-adherence related to the perceived inconvenience of medication regimens. Patients may experience difficulties incorporating medication(s) into their daily routines, resulting in intentional non-adherence due to perceived hassle or inconvenience.

8. How often do you have difficulty remembering to take all your medication(s)?
This question delves into unintentional non-adherence. Patients may experience challenges in remembering to take all their prescribed medication(s) as directed. Memory lapses or complicated medication schedules can contribute to unintentional non-adherence.

The Morisky 8-Item scale provide a valuable framework for understanding and differentiating between intentional and unintentional medication non-adherence. By addressing various aspects of adherence, these questions allow patients and healthcare providers to identify specific areas of concern and develop targeted interventions to improve medication adherence. Recognizing the underlying reasons for non-adherence is crucial in fostering patient education, promoting open communication, and tailoring educational counseling with the five domains of medication adherence enhances treatment outcomes and overall patient well-being.