Explore Our Previous Research Topics

Find more details on our work in medication adherence, health literacy, diabetes, and more.

Clustering Adherence Behavior among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

The objectives of this study were to:

  1. Classify patients’ medication adherence behavior with oral diabetes medications based on their beliefs in medicines and illness perceptions, and
  2. To describe the characteristics of the patients in each cluster based on psychosocial variables such as patient’ self-efficacy, clinical, and sociodemographic characteristics.

Based on Horne’s necessity-concerns framework and the Extended Self-Regulatory Model, this study used an exploratory technique, cluster analysis to cluster patients into groups based on their beliefs. Personalized interventions developed based on patient clusters may lead to improved adherence and health outcomes.

Exploring How Older Adults Describe a Quality Pharmacy and Examine How Potential Pharmacy Quality Reports can be Designed to Reflect Their Preferences

If patients are going to be able to make informed decisions on which pharmacy to visit based on publicly reported quality information, they need to understand what pharmacy quality means. It is important to align and prioritize efforts aimed at educating patients on pharmacy quality and the use of pharmacy quality rating reports.

Feasibility and Acceptability of a Pilot Culturally Specific Educational-Behavioral Intervention for African Americans with Type 2 Diabetes

March 2018–February 2019

PI: Olayinka Shiyanbola

The study aims of this UW ICTR funded grant were:

  1. To design a peer-led educational-behavioral intervention to change patient beliefs, self-efficacy, and medication adherence in African Americans (AAs) with type 2 diabetes and
  2. To pilot a component (i.e., 3 of 8 weekly sessions) of the educational-behavioral intervention and utilize patient feedback to examine the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention.

See Project Details

Improving Medication Adherence Among African American Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

June 2016–June 2020

PI:  Olayinka Shiyanbola

This project, funded by a 4-year NIH KL2 Career Development Award, aimed to culturally adapt an illness perception questionnaire that assesses African American/Black beliefs about type 2 diabetes.

Based on the self-regulatory model using an exploratory sequential mixed methods approach, we utilized focus groups, cognitive interviews, and survey administration to develop a valid and reliable tool useful in identifying modifiable illness beliefs among African Americans/Blacks.

This study set the stage for the development and testing of an intervention that modifies patient beliefs and improves medication adherence among African American/Blacks with type 2 diabetes.

Funding Source

  • National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • UW Institute of Clinical and Translational Research
Moderator Effect of Health Literacy, in the Relationship between Patient Illness and Medication Beliefs, and Medication Adherence

This study aimed to determine if health literacy had a moderator effect on the relationship between beliefs in medicines and illness perceptions in regards to medication adherence.

For patients with limited health literacy, it was not known if simply improving patients’ belief in the need for the medication (often provided by pharmacists educating patients on medicines) may lead to improved medication adherence. This study helped to further investigate this question.

Prescription Warning Labels: Perspectives of Pharmacists and Patients with Limited Health Literacy

This research utilized the perspectives of patients with limited health literacy and the pharmacists who care for them to refine the prescription warning labels placed on medicine containers.

Additional Past Projects

Partnering with Peers in the Community to Improve Diabetes Medication Adherence for African Americans (July 2019-Jan 2021)
PI: Olayinka Shiyanbola
Funding Source: NIH/CTSA UW Institute of Clinical and Translational Research

Self-Efficacy, Beliefs and Medication Adherence- Pilot and Feasibility Trial of a Pharmacist-Led Intervention (January 2018-December 2020)
PI: Olayinka Shiyanbola
Funding Source: MERCK Investigator-Initiated Studies Program (Patient Engagement, Diversity, and Health Literacy Track)

Wisconsin Experience and the Our Shared Future Heritage Marker Grant Educational Innovation Initiative
PI: Lisa Imhoff, Role (Collaborator)
Funding Source: Wisconsin Education Innovation

Estimating Statin Adherence and Patient Beliefs after an Initial Cardiovascular Event (July 2016-December 2017)
PI:  Elizabeth Unni, Role (Co-investigator, 10% effort)
Funding Source: PhRMA Foundation

Reforming Prescription Warning Labels: Patient and Pharmacist Perspectives (July 2014-June 2015)
PI:  Olayinka Shiyanbola
Funding Source: UW–Madison Graduate School/Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation

Advancing the Utility of Community Pharmacy Quality Measures: Patient Perceptions (September 2012-December 2013)
PI: Olayinka Shiyanbola, 9% effort
Funding Agency: Community Pharmacy Foundation

Needs Assessment for the Creation of a Community-Based Health Information Program on Prescription Drug Warning Labels (Nov 2011-July 2012)
PI: Olayinka Shiyanbola
Funding Source: South Dakota State University Academic and Scholarship Excellence Fund

Implementation and Evaluation of an Innovative Health Promotion Model for an Underserved Population with Diabetes (Sept 2010-Sept 2011)
PI: Dennis Hedge, Role (Project Director, 20% effort)
Funding Agency: Center for Disease and Control (CDC) Grant no. 1H75DP002337-01

Advancing the Utility of Community Pharmacy Quality Measures: A Pilot Study (Nov 2010- July 2011)
PI: Olayinka Shiyanbola
Funding Source: South Dakota State University Academic and Scholarship Excellence Fund

Assessing How Minority Populations Interpret Common Prescription Auxiliary Labels and Its Relationship with Health Literacy Levels (May 2011-April 2012)
PI: Michelle Locke, Role (Faculty Advisor)
Funding Source: Wal-Mart Summer Leader Fellowship

Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of an Innovative Healthcare and Health Promotion Model for an Underserved Population with Diabetes (Sept 2009- Sept 2010)
PI: Dennis Hedge, Role (Co-investigator, 10% effort)
Funding Source: Center for Disease and Control (CDC) Grant no. 1H75DP002337-01

Preliminary Research to Assess Illness Representations and Medication Beliefs among Minority Women with Diabetes (Nov 2009- Nov 2010)
PI: Olayinka Shiyanbola
Funding Source: South Dakota State University Foundation