Factors influencing medical adherence among First Nations patients and patients of European ancestry: Data from Canada

Nonadherence to physicians’ recommendations can have a detrimental impact on patient health, to say nothing of the financial cost to the already unsustainable Canadian healthcare system. This comparative study aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of the factors influencing adherence to prescribed medications and lifestyle change recommendations among First Nations patients and patients of European ancestry. In-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 40 participants in Northern British Columbia, Canada. Interviews were transcribed and qualitatively analyzed. Results show that medical adherence derives from an interaction between personal factors and situational or external factors. A comparative analysis revealed that a disproportionate number of First Nations patients faced situational barriers that impeded with medical adherence. These factors include geographical isolation, lack of access to a regular doctor, negative healthcare experiences, and financial constraints. Analyzed through a postcolonial interpretive lens, the research findings highlight the need to reduce systemic barriers within the healthcare system and the wider social context, especially among First Nations patients living in remote communities.