What are effective ways to improve medication adherence in patients?

Many patients have difficulty taking their medications as prescribed due to not having a specified schedule that takes into account all of the medications that need to be taken daily. Some need to be taken with food, without food, prior to other medications, at specific times, without dairy, etc. Patients with 5 or more medications that need to be taken daily would benefit from having a proposed schedule for their medications that takes into account all the different parameters and potential restrictions so as to be successful in adherence.

As the CEO of DKMS-BMST, ensuring medication adherence is paramount for our patients' well-being. By adopting a patient-centered approach, simplifying regimens, enhancing communication, providing education and support, integrating technology, addressing psychosocial factors, and conducting regular monitoring, we can empower patients to manage their medications effectively and achieve optimal health outcomes.

Another basic question to ask a client is...when taking the prescribed medication, do you feel it was producing any positive results? What were they and if none, what were you expecting?

Helping patients understand their medications is crucial to their success in following their treatment plan. According to the National Institute for Health, low health literacy is the number 1 barrier to medication adherence! Breaking down medication education to a 6th grade level (or below) should be the goal.

Empower patients to take an active role in their medication management by: 1-Teaching them how to track their medications and identify potential problems. 2-Encouraging them to set realistic goals for medication adherence. 3-Providing them with tools and resources to support their adherence, such as pill organizers, medication reminders, or online resources.

Pour les maladies chroniques telles que le glaucome à angle ouvert et le diabète de type 2 où le patient n'a pas de réelles plaintes symptomatiques, je rappelle les objectifs à long terme du traitement à savoir la prévention des complications graves invalidantes. Il s'agit de leur exposer et d'énumérer les conséquences d'une absence de traitement sur leur santé à venir. Cela permet de maintenir la motivation et de donner de la valeur à leur rituel quotidien.

If the patient is having difficulty with their medication regime, a referral to an occupational therapist could be the answer. We are able to assess what aspect of the task the person has difficulty with and propose and trial a range of solutions. Jumping straight to suggesting solutions without thorough assessment of the person's abilities first will not be effective. For example, if the issue is actually that they cannot open their pill bottle or pop out their tablets from a packet due to reduced fine motor skills, an alarm won't help. They may also experience difficulty due to reduced vision, impaired memory, or even impaired planning skills, all which will require a different assistive device or strategy to solve the problem.

Healthcare providers can greatly benefit from using health apps and platforms to improve medication adherence among their patients. Especially those powered by AI. These tools allow providers to monitor medication schedules in real time, helping them identify the lapses in adherence and address those issues. These apps can also set up automatic reminders and refill alerts, making it easier for patients to stay on track. These apps also help in communicating easily with patients and provide personalized advice and support to patients. This not only improves medication adherence but also patient satisfaction.

Help patients access resources that can support their medication adherence, such as: 1-Financial assistance programs. 2-Medication delivery services. 3-Counseling or support groups. 4-Transportation services.

1-Regularly assess patients' medication adherence and identify any challenges or barriers that may arise. Make adjustments to the intervention plan as needed to ensure ongoing success. 2-Celebrate patients' achievements and provide positive reinforcement to maintain their motivation.

Work closely with other members of the patient's care team, such as their primary care physician, pharmacist, and social worker, to develop a comprehensive plan to improve medication adherence. Share information and coordinate efforts to ensure that the patient receives consistent and effective support.