Medication Adherence- The Importance to Stay Abide by It
Adherence to medicine is not a new problem but remains important as we move into the new decade in 2020. All in all, if we cannot ensure that our patients adhere to their drug regimen correctly, we will not be able to address their symptoms properly and treat them.
Adherence to medicines is not a simple or small issue, given that more than half of people are taking medicines as instructed by their health care provider in a number of different studies. Consequently, drug failure (a lack of adherence to medicines) is associated with poor health outcomes, poorer quality of life, and significantly higher costs of the healthcare system and the economy as a whole.
In an effort to reduce the non-compliance of medication, but with little success, several products, intervention and methods have been developed. One of such essential methods is doctors dispensing medication in office.
What works and what does not, as patients share different reasons for medication non-compliance, including simple overlooking, inability to afford medication, poor memory due to conditions, a lack of time, lack of medical instruction or fear of adverse effects, is difficult to identify. When working on ways to help you improve your patients' adherence to medications, it helps you develop strong listening skills and prepares you for a number of possible solutions and interventions.
What is adherence to Medication?
For this phenomenon, which was first studied in 1968 but is probably much older, several definitions have been proposed. The fact that some patients are not being consulted is a given, but a serious problem when a large number of patients do not follow the healthcare instructions of their healthcare provider.
The WHO offers a definition of adherence: the extent to which the behavior of a person – taking medicines, following a diet, or implementing changes in lifestyle – corresponds to a provider's agreed recommendations. If a patient shows non-compliance they communicate indirectly that they are faced with a major roadblock that prevents them from obtaining and/or taking the right medication in the correct dose.
Increased adherence more strongly influences health outcomes than even the development of new drugs. It is, simply said, in the best interest of every doctor to do everything in their power to maximize patient adherence.
Adherence to medication in chronic conditions is critical
In patients with chronic conditions, the absence of adherence to medications is more important than in other diseases. Currently, some form of inconsistency exhibits approximately 50 to 60% of all people affecting chronic disease.
Chronic diseases need to be handled thoroughly. If not, the symptoms may be worse or the overall quality of life and health quickly deteriorated.
Chronic disease patients frequently contact their primary care providers or their respective specialists on a regular basis, although many still struggle to comply with their treatment. More is needed to ensure patients suffering from chronic conditions are monitored and interviewed carefully to ensure compliance with medication.
To avoid any discrepancy in medication, you can switch to doctors dispensing medication in office. Contact PD-RX Pharmaceuticals to learn more about the system. Visit our office in OKC.
**Disclaimer: The information on this page is not intended to be a doctor's advice, nor does it create any form of patient-doctor relationship.