Adherence to treatment

Question 1

Define non-adherence.

Answer 1

When a patient’s behaviour does not correspond with agreed recommendations from a healthcare provider

Question 2

What is the prevalence of non-adherence?

Answer 2

Overall average rate of adherence is about 50%

Question 3

State some consequences of non-adherence.

Answer 3

Increased hospital admissions (1 in 5 are because of non-adherence) Rejection of transplants Occurrence of complications Development of drug resistance Increased mortality Increased healthcare costs

Question 4

What are the three main reasons for non-adherence?

Answer 4

Regime related factors (including physical aspects e.g. packaging, complexity, side effects, duration, cost etc.) Poor doctor-patient interaction Psychosocial variables

Question 5

State some patient factors affecting recall of healthcare information.

Answer 5

Anxiety Medical knowledge Memory impairment

Question 6

List some ways of improving adherence to treatment.

Answer 6

Check the patient’s understanding of treatment Provide a clear rationale for the necessity of treatment Elicit and address concerns Agree a practical plan for how, where and when to take treatment Identify any possible barriers introducing a plan linked to environmental cues (implementation intentions) to help establish a better medication-taking routine (habit)

Question 7

Define adherence

Answer 7

attachment or commitment to a person, cause, or belief

Question 8

What model can help to understand non-adherence?

Answer 8

COM-B model of behaviour More cabability leads to under-adherence More opportunity leads to over-adherence