Week 4 - Adherence To Medical Advice

Question 1

Explain the trend in medical adherence

Answer 1

• If we take more common medical directives of taking pills , non adherence can manifest (skip doses, altering plan, not adhering to non alcohol)
• Higher amongst individuals experiencing more severe illness symptoms

Question 2

6 ways we can measure non-adherence

Answer 2

-Self Repot
-Therapeutic Outcome: is patient getting better?
- Health workers estimates
- Pill Counts
- Electronic methods : data recorders in pill bottles
- Biochemical tests

Question 3

3 ways we can classify non-adherence [Donovan and Blake]

Answer 3

• Rational : deliberately non fault
• Unwitting : misunderstanding
• Erratic : forgetfulness / running out

May be due to side effects / practical too [Sarafino et al)

Question 4

4 ways why we don’t adhere to medical advice

Answer 4

• Multiple Physicians : decreased patient confidence in treatment
  -Fear of dependance: addiction, side effects
• Religious beliefs
• Not wanting pharmaceutical companies to profit

Question 5

Factors affecting erratic non adherence to medical advice

Answer 5

• Memory : ppts recalled better series of statements using primacy effect [Ley et al]
• Unwitting (misunderstanding)

Question 6

Implications of not adhering to medical guidance?

Answer 6

• Relationship between adherence and risk for hospitalisation in diabetes patients [Sakal et al]
• Greater overall cost