Background Hypertension (HT) requires patients to continuously monitor their blood pressure, strictly adhere to therapeutic recommendations, and self-manage their illness. A few studies indicate that physician–patient communication and the patient’s satisfaction with the therapeutic relationship may affect the course and outcomes of the treatment process. Research is still lacking on the association between satisfaction with physician–patient communication and adherence to treatment or self-care in chronically ill patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between satisfaction with physician–patient communication and self-care and adherence in patients with HT undergoing chronic treatment. Methods The following instruments were used: the Adherence to Refills and Medication Scale (ARMS) for evaluating adherence (12–48 points), the Self-Care of Hypertension Inventory (SCHI) for self-care level (0–100 points), and the Communication Assessment Tool (CAT) for evaluating satisfaction with physician–patient communication. Socio-demographic and clinical data were obtained from patients’ medical records. The research has a cross-sectional and observational study design. Inclusion criteria were as follows: age > 18 years, hypertension diagnosed per European Society of Hypertension (ESH) guidelines, treatment with at least one antihypertensive drug for the past 6 months, and informed consent. Cognitively impaired patients unable to complete the surveys without assistance were excluded (MMSE ≤18). Correlations between quantitative variables were analyzed using Pearson’s or Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Linear regression was performed. Variable distribution normality was verified using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Results The study included 250 patients (110 male, mean age 61.23 ± 14.34) with HT, treated at a hypertension clinic. In the CAT questionnaire individual questions pertaining to satisfaction with physician communication (on the CAT) were rated “excellent” 28.4–50.4% of the time. The best-rated aspects of communication included: letting the patient talk without interruptions (50.4% “excellent” ratings), speaking in a way the patient can understand (47.6%), and paying attention to the patient (47.2%). According to patient reports, physicians most commonly omitted such aspects as encouraging the patient to ask questions (28.4%), involving them in decisions (29.2%), and discussing the next steps (35.2%). The respondents had a low level of adherence to pharmaceutical treatment (16.63 ± 4.6). In terms of self-care, they scored highest in self-care management (64.17 ± 21.18), and lowest in self-care maintenance (56.73 ± 18.57). In correlation analysis, satisfaction with physician–patient communication (total CAT score) was positively correlated with all SCHI domains (self-care maintenance β = 0.276, self-care management β = 0.208, self-care confidence β = 0.286, p < 0.05), and negatively correlated with ARMS scores (indicating better adherence). Conclusions Satisfaction with physician–patient communication has a significant impact on self-care and pharmaceutical adherence in patients with hypertension. The more satisfied the patient is with communication, the better their adherence and self-care. Trial registration SIMPLE: RID.Z501.19.016.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate compliance with medical treatment in elderly patients with heart failure (HF), and to identify factors that associated with patients' compliance levels. Methods and results 475 patients (including 222 women), mean age 69.7±7.7, with HF, hospitalized at University Hospital between January and December 2018 were included in the study. The patients were selected by a physician specializing in cardiology. A cardiac nurse assessed the non-pharmacological level of compliance using the Revised Heart Failure Compliance Questionnaire (RHFCQ). The socio-clinical data were obtained from medical records. The majority of the study group were patients in NYHA II (62.4%) and NYHA III (28.3%), the mean duration of the disease was 6.2±4.9 years, and the mean ejection fraction of the left ventricle (EF) was 48.6±12.6. The average level of compliance in the study group measured on a scale from 0 to 4 points was: median = 2.7, IQR [2.32; 3.25]. Only 6.9% of the respondents adhere to recommendations totally (all dimensions of RHFCQ). In univariate analysis, predictors negatively affecting compliance were: female gender (rho =-0.325), age below 65 years (rho =-0.014)), loneliness (rho =-0.559), number of hospitalizations (rho =-0.242), higher stage of NYHA (rho =-1.612), co-morbidities (rho =-0.729), re-hospitalizations (rho =-0.729), beta-blockers treatment (rho =-1.612) and diuretics treatment (rho =-0.276). Factors positively affecting compliance were: EF�45% (rho = 0.020) and treatment with ACEI/ARB (rho = 0.34), whereas compliance was negatively affected by-EF<45% (β = 0.009). Independent predictors influencing the level of compliance were: loneliness (β =-1.816), number of hospitalizations (β =-0.117), NYHA III and IV and number of co-morbidities (β =-0.676).

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The role of medical personnel in promoting vaccination and pro-health attitudes seems to be of key importance for protection against COVID-19. The aim of the study was to assess the attitudes of health care workers and students of medical faculties towards preventive vaccinations against COVID-19. A cross-sectional online self-administered survey was conducted among 497 people. The questions concerned attitudes towards vaccination as well as concerns about the side effects of the vaccine and contracting COVID-19. A positive attitude to vaccination was observed in 82% of the respondents. More than 54% respondents were concerned about side effects after COVID-19 vaccination. Medical students under 26 years had a more positive attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination, twice as high as among health care workers OR (95%Cl): 2.20 (1.03–4.66) vs. 4.06 (2.54–6.48), respectively. Students were more concerned than nurses about adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccine 3.8 (3.2–4.1) vs. 3.0 (2.7–3.5) and contracting the virus (1.7 (1.2–2.5) vs. 1.2 (1.0–2.0). Medical students had a more positive attitude toward vaccination than nursing students 4.2 (3.9–4.3) vs. 3.7 (3.3–4.3). In conclusion, predictors of positive attitudes toward vaccination were medical student status and young age.

Background According to evidence-based guidelines, adherence to blood pressure–lowering medication and lifestyle modifications is a crucial part of hypertension management. Self-care is an effective method for secondary prevention. However, patients continue to exhibit major deficits in terms of adherence, self-control, and self-care. Standardized instruments for the effective monitoring of patients' self-care abilities are still lacking. Objective The objectives of this study were to produce a translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Self-care of Hypertension Inventory (SC-HI) and to evaluate the psychometric properties of its Polish version. Methods The scale underwent translation and psychometric assessment using the standard methodology (forward-backward translation, review, psychometric analysis, criterion validity). The study included 250 patients, with a mean age of 61.23 ± 14.34 years, treated in a hypertension clinic. Results Mean self-care levels were evaluated in 3 domains: self-care maintenance (56.73 ± 18.57), self-care management (64.17 ± 21.18), and self-care confidence (62.47 ± 24.39). The Cronbach α for each domain showed satisfactory parameters: 0.755 for maintenance, 0.746 for management, and 0.892 for confidence. In the Polish version, the 3-factor structure of the SC-HI was not directly confirmed. Therefore, so-called modification indices were applied to obtain a standardized root mean square residual value less than 0.09 and a root mean square error of approximation value less than 0.06. Conclusions The SC-HI has been successfully translated and adapted for Polish settings, and is suitable for application among patients with hypertension.