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Issues in Patient Compliance

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Summary

Patient compliance refers to the willingness and ability of an individual to follow health-related advice, to take medication as prescribed, to attend scheduled clinic appointments and to complete recommended investigations. It is a major health issue, with outcomes related to levels of morbidity, mortality and cost utilisation. Poor compliance has been reported as the most common cause of nonresponse to medication, with evidence to show that patients who adhere to treatment recommendations have better health outcomes than those who do not adhere, even when taking a placebo. Evidence-based practice guidelines, founded on clinical, behavioural and educational concepts, provide a means of measuring outcomes related to health status, patient satisfaction and cost-benefit issues, and may help to ensure that responsibility for compliance is shared between the clinician and the patient.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, University of Auckland, School of Medicine, Auckland, New Zealand

    Judy Murphy

  2. Department of General Practice, University of Auckland School of Medicine, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand

    Gregor Coster

Authors
  1. Judy Murphy
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  2. Gregor Coster
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Murphy, J., Coster, G. Issues in Patient Compliance. Drugs 54, 797–800 (1997). https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-199754060-00002

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-199754060-00002

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