Medication Management and Treatment Adherence

Abstract

Medication-related problems (MRPs), including medication errors and adverse drug events (ADEs), are serious public health and clinical service concerns that contribute to morbidity and mortality in chronically ill patients. Effective medication management consists of medication reconciliation, comprehensive medication review to identify and resolve MRPs, and patient education. The largest barrier to patient education and effective medication self-management is limited knowledge by providers about the safe and effective use of medications. When patients do not understand information about their medications, both efficacy and safety can be compromised, and using clear, standardized, specific instructions improves patient understanding and reduces errors. Gauging a patient’s adherence and health literacy allows the prescriber to better tailor teaching to each patient’s needs. Incorporating a “teach back” or “show me” technique is an effective strategy to evaluate patient knowledge, clarify key points, and close the communication gap between the patient and prescribing provider. Reduced copayments, case management by allied health professionals, and patient education with behavioral support are effective strategies for enhancing medication adherence in patients with chronic conditions.