Strategies for Improving Adherence to Pediatric Medical Regimens

Abstract

Adherence-improvement strategies can be broadly classified as educational, organizational, and behavioral (Dunbar, Marshall, & Hovell, 1979). Educational strategies primarily rely on verbal, written, computer-based, or Web-based information designed to enlighten patients and their families about diseases, treatment regimens, potential negative side effects of treatment, and the importance of consistent adherence. Organizational strategies target ways in which health care is delivered, including increasing access to health-care services, simplifying regimens, and increasing provider supervision of regimens. Behavioral strategies refer to behavior-change techniques to alter specific adherence behaviors such as patient and parental monitoring of regimens, problem-solving, contracting, and token reinforcement programs.