reasons for non adherence

Question 1

brown and bussell (2011)

Answer 1

only around 50% of patients follow treatment according to instructions

Question 2

rational non-adherence

Answer 2

some patients choose non-adherence after thinking about it logically and rationally

Question 3

cost-benefit analysis (RNA)

Answer 3

• rational decision is based on weighing up the costs and benefits of following or not following medical advice
• main benefit of taking prescribed medication is that it reduces or eliminates the symptoms of an illness

Question 4

side effects (CBA)

Answer 4

• following medical advice may have unwanted outcomes
• some medications cause dizziness and memory problems (bulpitt and fletcher 1988)

Question 5

financial barriers

Answer 5

• some people don’t adhere to medical advice because they cannot afford
• people with private medical insurance that covers treatment are more likely to adhere to medication because cost doesn’t matter to them

Question 6

patient-practitioner relationship

Answer 6

• practitioner’s relationship style is a major influence on trust
• ‘practitioner-centred approach’ is more likely to lead to non-adherence as the client views treatment as non-negotiable

Question 7

lack of understanding

Answer 7

• if the patient does not trust their doctor then they are less likely to adhere to medical treatment
• if the practitioner is more hostile and shows they have all the power, people are less likely to comply with their treatment

Question 8

poverty (stress)

Answer 8

• non-adherence is worse in lower socio-economic groups

Question 9

chaotic lifestyles (stress)

Answer 9

• being disorganised can be stressful and stress can make people disorganised
• people often forget to take medication or find it hard to follow medical advice

Question 10

anxiety (stress)

Answer 10

• attention becomes narrower
• latch onto key words from professionals and ignore the rest, including follow-up appointments and medication
• makes adherence unlikely

Question 11

memory (stress)

Answer 11

• adherence is impossible if the client cannot remember it
• between 40% and 80% of medical advice is immediately forgotten

Question 12

learned helplessness

Answer 12

• a state that occurs after a person has experienced a stressful situations repeatedly
• they believe that they are unable to control or change the situation so they don’t try

Question 13

lack of support

Answer 13

• individuals are less likely to adhere to medical advice/treatment when they do not have support/help from friends/family or health professionals