Adherence (medicine)
Patient Adherence in Medicine[edit | edit source]
In the field of medicine, patient adherence (also referred to as patient compliance or capacitance) denotes the extent to which a patient accurately follows medical advice. This concept is most commonly associated with medication or drug compliance, but it can also extend to other scenarios such as the utilization of medical devices, self-care activities, self-regulated exercises, or adherence to therapy sessions[1].
Patient-Healthcare Provider Relationship[edit | edit source]
A positive physician-patient relationship is deemed the most influential factor in augmenting patient adherence, along with the affordability of prescription medications[2].
Compliance vs Concordance[edit | edit source]
Adherence or compliance can often be confused with concordance. Concordance in medicine refers to a collaborative process in which the patient and clinician make shared decisions about the treatment plan[3].
Global Impact and Barriers[edit | edit source]
Non-adherence to medical advice is a significant global impediment to the effective provision of healthcare. A World Health Organization estimate from 2003 stated that merely about 50% of patients suffering from chronic diseases in developed countries adhere to treatment recommendations. This issue is particularly prominent in managing chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, and hypertension. Key barriers to adherence include complex medication regimens, poor health literacy, misunderstanding of treatment benefits, unaddressed side effects, dissatisfaction with treatment, the cost of medications, and poor communication or lack of trust between the patient and their healthcare provider[4].
Efforts to Improve Adherence[edit | edit source]
Efforts to enhance patient adherence have included simplifying medication packaging, implementing effective medication reminders, enhancing patient education, and minimizing the number of concurrently prescribed medications. However, the characteristics and effects of interventions aimed at improving adherence vary significantly, and it remains unclear how adherence can be consistently improved to elicit clinically important effects[5].
See Also[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
- World Health Organization - Adherence to Long-Term Therapies: Evidence for Action
- CDC - Managing ADHD with Medication
- Mayo Clinic - Diabetes Management: How Lifestyle, Daily Routine Affect Blood Sugar
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
