Healthcare Practitioners: A Possibility for Adherence Success!

“If doctors just spent more time with their patients so they felt more reassured, that might help.” Irvin Kirch, Psychologist, 美国哈佛大学

?As the founder of Redicine Medsol , a company dedicated to improving medication adherence through innovative solutions, I can't stress enough the role healthcare practitioners (HCPs) play in this scenario. By outlining the explanation for the medication and the course of action for the treatment plan, healthcare practitioners (HCPs) play a crucial role in the beginning of adherence. However, they frequently fail to provide their patients with thorough information. A study has found that the right information about the name of the medicine, its exact purpose, and the associated side effects was provided, respectively, in only 74%, 87%, and 35% of the patient-provider encounters. Unexpressed conversations lead to misunderstandings, which give rise to non-adherence behavior. ?This blog aims to shed light on the untapped potential of HCPs in improving medication adherence among patients.

Who are Healthcare Professionals, and why do we need them?

Healthcare practitioners are not just individuals who prescribe us medications; they are also educators, influencers, and sometimes the savers of our lives. They diagnose our conditions, provide us with treatments, and, most importantly, guide us through our healthcare journey.? When challenges are big in our lives,we must believe them because the trust and bond that HCPs share with their patients make them uniquely positioned to influence medication adherence in a positive manner.

To improve adherence, various groups in healthcare delivery—general physicians, specialists, nurses, therapists, social workers, and pharmacists—should engage in a patient-centric approach. Let us know a little bit about them!

• Physicians: They are at the heart of patient care, from diagnosing the medical condition and starting therapy to tracking the therapy's success. Since they only have limited time to spend with their patients, they can help lay the foundations of adherence that can be built upon by other non-physician HCPs.
• Nurses: They are called the connecting link between patients and the doctor because of their accessibility and are trusted by both groups. Nurses also help with end of life needs and assist other family members with grieving.
• Pharmacists: They are healthcare professionals who specialize in how to use and manage medicines. They are actually the experts because they know everything from how to distribute prescriptions to patients after receiving the doctor's order to how medicines work and interact with the body so that patients who take them achieve the best possible results.
• Dietitians: They can be crucial in guiding patients to healthy food habits and lifestyle choices, s in addition to overseeing adherence to the diet plan.

Minimize the communication gap and HCPs' role in strengthening adherence among patients.

The initial and most important question that needs to be addressed is- are HCPs actually equipped with the necessary skills that promote effective communication, which leads to an increase in adherence? The answer is most often- no. It is mandatory to arm them with the required skill-set for a patient-centric approach to deliver on the following:

• Provide personalized advice that is customized to individual patient needs.
• Discuss the pros and cons regarding the benefits of therapy and its potential side effects.
• Use digital tools like Redicine Medsol smart pillbox to monitor adherence.
• Define and explain the disease and therapy.
• Assessing the patient's understanding of the communication provided
• Guide towards reducing the cost of the treatment.
• Encourage participation from family members or friends during health visits.

Communication skills for HCPs include:

• Building a relationship with the patient: Trust is the backbone of healthcare. HCPs should always focus on building trust and sympathizing with patients while simultaneously making sure that they feel secure. When they are able to empathize with patients, they are able to build trust. This all requires good communication skills, and HCPs should practice them. They should emphasize building the patient-HCP relationship by responding to emotions, being supportive, being good listeners, keeping calm, being compassionate, and so on.

• Explaining and organizing abilities: HCPs should train themselves in such a manner that they are able to deliver appropriate information by explaining themselves correctly and checking for understanding. This will enable them ?to negotiate procedures and plan for future arrangements.

• Awareness about undesirable behavior: Promoting awareness of disruptive behaviors, such as interruptions, false reassurances, and the delivery of solely factual information, which may trigger patient responses that are inappropriate

Well, attending conferences and brief training sessions would really help HCPs develop their knowledge and skill sets.

Improving Medical Adherence Requires Collaborative Teamwork

Medication adherence is definitely not a one-man show; it's a collaborative effort that involves the patient, healthcare providers, and often the patient's family. A good adherence strategy must include frequent check-ins, modifications to the treatment plan, and open lines of communication.

How Technology Can Help in Assessing the Adherence of Treatments

In today's digital age, technology can significantly help HCPs monitor and improve medication adherence. Our smart pillbox, for instance, is designed to work in tandem with healthcare providers to ensure that patients are not just sticking to their medication schedules but are also informed about their treatment. This real-time information can reveal patterns in patient behavior and enable quick medication.

Assessment is a continuous process. HCPs can use various tools and metrics to measure adherence rates. These can range from simple self-reporting questionnaires to advanced digital solutions like our smart pillbox, which provides real-time adherence reports.

Conclusion!

Healthcare practitioners in today's world have a unique chance to drastically enhance medication adherence rates. This, however, demands a complex approach that includes active communication, ongoing evaluation, and the use of innovative technologies such as Redicine Medsol pillbox.

When a patient receives successful therapy, the HCP's task is over. Even if they offer the greatest care, if people refuse to abide by them, the treatment will fail. In order to properly communicate and foster a trusting atmosphere for their patients, they should take advantage of the confidence that patients have placed in their hands. These little changes might have a remarkable impact on patient adherence and, ultimately, therapeutic success.

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contact-us to explore how our smart pillbox can be integrated into your practice to improve patient outcomes.

By leveraging the influence and trust they command, HCPs can not only improve adherence rates but also contribute to better healthcare outcomes overall.

Let's make healthcare better together!