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Systematic Review of Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Improvement of Medication Adherence

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Abstract

Background

Poor adherence to medications is a significant problem that leads to increased morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Recommended approaches to address medication adherence vary, and existing practice guidelines are unclear.

Purpose

This review evaluated clinical practice guidelines designed to help health care providers address patients’ medication adherence.

Method

Multiple search methods were used to identify national or international guidelines addressing medication adherence. We included guidelines published in English, as well as guidelines with an English-language summary or translation.

Results

We identified 23 guidelines of varying detail and quality. Recommendations were categorized as assessment strategies (n = 20 guidelines); educational strategies (n = 18); behavioral strategies (n = 17); therapeutic relationship, communication, and provider factors (n = 19); and addressing outside influences/co-morbidities (n = 10).

Conclusion

Future guidelines should be more clearly guided by research findings and comparative effectiveness methods. When implemented, guidelines will facilitate health care providers and health systems in supporting optimal adherence and improved health outcomes.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA

    Todd M. Ruppar

  2. University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium

    Fabienne Dobbels & Sabina M. De Geest

  3. Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland

    Pawel Lewek & Michal Matyjaszczyk

  4. Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium

    Kaat Siebens

  5. University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland

    Sabina M. De Geest

Authors
  1. Todd M. Ruppar
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  2. Fabienne Dobbels
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  3. Pawel Lewek
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  4. Michal Matyjaszczyk
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  5. Kaat Siebens
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  6. Sabina M. De Geest
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Todd M. Ruppar.

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Ruppar, T.M., Dobbels, F., Lewek, P. et al. Systematic Review of Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Improvement of Medication Adherence. Int.J. Behav. Med. 22, 699–708 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-015-9479-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-015-9479-x

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