Table 1.

Reducing for the purposes of qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) the number of factors to below 10

First step. Excluding 10 factors that had been described in three or fewer interventions:	1. Acknowledging within the intervention that adherence is dynamic.
	2. Paying attention to possible negative social circumstances.
	3. Discussing whether secrecy of disclosing condition is threatened by taking treatment.
	4. Discussing the seriousness of the disease.
	5. Feedback about positive reactions of the body to treatment should be provided.
	6. In cases of depression, this should be treated before starting therapy; substance misuse should be managed as a first priority.
	7. To develop a trusting relationship with the patient.
	8. To facilitate to learn to trust in oneself.
	9. To get patients to describe their own behaviour.
	10. To offer good medical follow-up.
Second step. Combining factors that had some similarity in aim:	11. Enquire into personal risks factors, and 12. Use insight on personal risk factors became ‘a focus on personal risk factors’;
	13. Discuss ambivalence to medicine, and 14. Discuss acceptance of disease became ‘an exploration of attitudes to drug and/or disease’;
	15. Pointing out the value of treatment to a patient’s life enhances motivation, and 16. Explain the relationship between adherence and disease became ‘emphasis on the value of adherence’;
	17. Clear instructions on how to take medication, and 18. Information appropriate to patient’s understanding became ‘clear or appropriate information’;
	19. Acquire insight into a patient’s social support systems, 20. Counsel patient on how use social support, and 21. Social support has to be substantial and practical became ‘a focus on improving social support’.
Final list of factors used in QCA (this is the four remaining factors (22 to 25) and the five combined factors (a to e)	22. Discuss circumstances that lead to forgetting to take treatment.
	23. Emphasise that experiencing no symptoms does not mean to stop taking the drug.
	24. Enhance convenience of taking the drug.
	25. Information on side effects.
	a. A focus on personal risk factors.
	b. An exploration of attitudes to drug and/or disease.
	c. Emphasis on the value of adherence.
	d. Clear or appropriate information.
	e. A focus on improving social support.