Compliance-enhancing interventions

Many studies have been published about strategies to improve compliance. Seventy-six compliance interventions were evaluated in the systematic review by Petrilla and Benner.

They divided the compliance-enhancing interventions in the following categories:

·         coordination of healthcare: improved linkages between primary care physicians, clinicians and other health professionals;

·         live consultation and education;

·         the changes of the therapy dose, dosage and packaging for the convenient drug taking;

·         patient education materials;

·         disease management programs by clinicians;

·         reminders: medication refill reminders delivered by mail or telephone;

·         self-monitoring;

·         social support programs;

·         and the combination of these interventions.

Common attributes of successful programs included simplified treatment regimens, facilitation of doctor-patient relationships, and patient education methods, clear up from their review.

Effective treatment need a good clinician-patient relationship. Spending time on patient education and answering patient's questions is worth the time. Patients should be educated about the most important features and complications of their disease. Compliance may be enhanced, if the medical check-up and the therapy is known by the patient.



Reference:

Petrilla, A.A., Benner, J.S.: Critical evaluation of interventions to enhance patient compliance with chronic medications. Value in Health, 2003, 6, 200.