JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Adherence to treatment is an important factor decreasing repeated and costly hospitalization due to heart failure. It seems necessary to design theory-based interventions in order to promote adherence to therapeutic regimen.

Objective:

The aim of this paper is to report the protocol for a mixed methods study that set out to investigate the empirical validity of the Roy Adaptation Model as a conceptual framework for the explaining and predicting of adherence to treatment in patients with heart failure in Iran.

Methods:

This mixed methods study consists of an exploratory sequential design to be conducted in two phases. The first phase, factors associated with treatment adherence in patients with heart failure are identified through the content analysis of literature and elucidating the perception of participants in the context of Iranian healthcare and the model of adherence to treatment is designed based on the Roy Adaptation Model. The second phase, relationships among variables in the model are tested through a descriptive study using structural equation modeling. Finally, following the summarization and separate interpretation of the qualitative findings and quantitative results, a decision is made about the extent to and ways in which the results of the quantitative stage generalize or test the qualitative findings.

Results:

The findings of this mixed methods sequential exploratory study are expected to provide valuable information about the empirical validity of the Roy Adaptation Model as a conceptual framework for the explanation and prediction of adherence to treatment in patients with heart failure, which to date have received little attention.

Conclusions:

The results can be used as a guide for nursing practice and care provision to patients with heart failure and also to design and implement effective interventions to improve treatment adherence in these patients.