Drug non-adherence is a major problem in our healthcare system, with wide-ranging consequences, leading to excessive 10% of hospitalizations, US$10 to 289 billion in healthcare costs, and nearly 125,000 deaths each yearDue to not taking medications as prescribed, patients not only cannot effectively control the condition they are trying to treat, but they may also experience additional adverse reactions due to incorrect or inconsistent dosages. In some cases, this can lead to missed work or social activities, mental health challenges, and increased physical health insurance costs. The most frustrating thing is that this problem is largely preventable.
Although several factors, including cost and accessibility, present greater and longer-term challenges to proper medication management, doctors themselves can better engage patients in a variety of ways to improve compliance and outcomes.
Make medicine collaborative
The first challenge in making medication management a more attractive and collaborative process for patients lies in the language we use to discuss it. For many patients, the term “compliance” or “compliance” can be understood to have a negative connotation, which means a one-way relationship in which the patient feels he is being punished or told to do what. The lack of participation in this process, not to mention the human nature of refusing to be told what to do, creates a perfect storm for mismanagement of drugs.
Another challenge is that as doctors, we often cannot really explain to patients Why They should take medicine. For example, patients dealing with high blood pressure may not really understand why the problem occurs because they have not reached the target number. Our job is to explain to patients bit by bit, in this case, high blood pressure may put pressure on their heart, which can lead to various other problems, and how this affects their daily health.
There is also a need for more collaborative discussions with patients on the drugs they are taking. This is certainly not always the case, but usually, there are several potential drugs or other treatment options that can control the condition. In this case, as doctors, we should discuss with patients the different medicines available, the advantages and disadvantages of each medicine, and our professional advice. However, in the final analysis, it is ultimately up to the patient to decide what drugs they actually take. Patients have their preferences, and we should respect them.
In addition, in support of better patient management, doctors should consider drug dosing schedules. Studies have shown that medications taken more than once a day have lower compliance. It is important to grasp the latest treatment methods and consider whether the marginal benefits of double-dose treatment over single-dose treatment are worth the potential (and in some cases, possible) mismanagement.
Finally, the discussion about drugs should not end when the prescription is written. Doctors need to enable patients to talk about the effects of drugs on them, how often they use drugs as prescribed, and their barriers to drug use. It’s best to take time to discuss other alternatives with the patient again, and then make them feel that they cannot come back to you to ask questions or express dissatisfaction, and eventually stop taking the medication altogether.
in conclusion
Although it may take more time to implement many of these changes in practice-doctors certainly don’t always have a lot of time-more and more digital health tools can help patients by just a few clicks on their smartphones . Unfortunately, many doctors are still not trained and educated on the importance of a patient-centered approach, and all of us in practice and academia should change the way we treat medicine.
Photo: Sarinyapinngam, Getty Images
