<b>A Qualitative Study of Barriers to Medication-Taking Among People With Type 2 Diabetes Using the Theoretical Domains Framework</b>

<h2>Objective. We aimed to better understand the challenges related to type 2 diabetes medication-taking through Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF)-guided interviews with people with type 2 diabetes with varying degrees of medication-taking.</h2><h2>Methods. One-on-one qualitative interviews following a semi-structured discussion guide informed by the TDF were conducted. Thirty people with type 2 diabetes in Canada were interviewed, with representation from across the country, of both sexes (47% female), of people with various diabetes durations (mean 12.9 ± 7.9 years), with different types of medication plans (<i>n </i>= 15 on polypharmacy), and with various medication-taking levels (<i>n </i>= 10 each for low-, medium-, and high-engagement groups).</h2><p dir="ltr"><b>Results.</b> Themes related to medication-taking from interviews mapped to 12 of the 14 TDF theme domains, with the exclusion of the knowledge and skills domains. The most prominent domains, as determined by high-frequency themes or themes for which people with low and high medication-taking had contrasting perspectives were <i>1</i>) emotion, <i>2</i>) memory, attention, and decision processes, <i>3</i>) behavioral regulation, <i>4</i>) beliefs about consequences, <i>5</i>) goals, and <i>6</i>) environmental context and resources.</p><h2>Conclusion. Through our interviews, several areas of focus emerged that may help efforts to increase medication-taking. To validate these findings, future quantitative research is warranted to help support people with type 2 diabetes in overcoming psychological and behavioral barriers to medication-taking.</h2><p><br></p>