We held four focus groups with 26 patients who
failed to pick up a first prescription for a new antihypertensive
medication.Among these patientswith
incomplete PMA, distrust and anger regarding the
hypertension diagnosis and the need for antihypertensive
medications were common. Suspicions
about providers’ motivations were also prevalent.
Other PMA barriers included cost, misperceptions
about generic medications, fear of side effects and
beliefs that not more than one antihypertensive
medication was needed. Patients longed to be
included more actively in discussions with their providers
about the initiation of hypertension treatments
and suggested approaches to shared decision
making and patient-oriented materials that would
make PMA more likely.