Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Traditional Chinese version of the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire-Specific (BMQ-Specific) among adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Taiwan.
METHODS: The original 10-item BMQ-Specific was translated into Traditional Chinese following a rigorous forward-backward translation process, with the translations reviewed by four experts in pharmacy practice and educational psychology. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the validity and reliability of the translated BMQ-Specific among adults with T2D who were taking diabetes medications. Participants were recruited from four community pharmacies in Taiwan from September 2023 to May 2024. The internal consistency of the translated BMQ-Specific was measured using McDonald’s omega. Construct validity was evaluated through exploratory factor analysis, while criterion validity was determined by examining the relationship between belief concerns, medication adherence, and A1C levels.
RESULTS: A total of 273 patients participated in the study. xploratory factor analysis indicated that the Traditional Chinese version of the BMQ-Specific maintained the original English version’s factorial structure in patients with T2D. Each item loaded onto its intended factors, namely the Specific-Necessity and Specific-Concerns subscales. B Both subscales demonstrated good internal consistency, preserving the psychometric qualities of the original tool, with McDonald’s ω values of 0.785 for both the Necessity and Concerns subscales. Predictive validity data further supported these properties, showing a relationship between treatment beliefs and adherence. The BMQ-Specific Concerns subscale correlated positively with higher barriers to medication-taking (r = 0.270, p < 0.001) and poorer glycemic control (r = 0.130, p = 0.032).
CONCLUSIONS: The Traditional Chinese version of the BMQ-Specific exhibits strong reliability and validity for assessing medication beliefs among patients with T2D in Taiwan. It can be effectively integrated into clinical practice for screening and follow-up, enhancing communication between healthcare providers and patients.