Compliance vs Adherence

Question 1

What is adherence?

Answer 1

• Patient’s success in following recommendations of MD

- Implies a more mutual and collaborative MD-patient relationship

Question 2

What are the main barriers to adherence?

Answer 2

• Complex regimen (# of meds, frequency of administration)
• Lack of patient understanding (re: importance of adherence/consequences of non-adherence)
• Failure of patient’s desire to incorporate new lifestyle changes
• Adverse side effects, Age, Financial feasibility, Social ramifications

Question 3

What are the main suggestions for improving patient adherence?

Answer 3

• Respectful communication
• Motivational interviewing
• Development of satisfactory and collaborative relationship w/patient
• Involvement of pharmacist

Question 4

What is compliance?

Answer 4

• Extent to which a patient FOLLOWS physician’s prescribed regimen
• Implies a paternal MD-patient relationship
• MD telling patient what to do