Overview

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Berger and Felkey (2001) summarized the prerequisites for adherence to medication regimens. Adherence requires that a person:

• Show interest in his or her health and understand the diagnosis
• Understand the potential impact of the diagnosis
• Believe that the prescribed treatment will help
• Know exactly how to take the medication and the duration of therapy
• Find ways to fit the medication regimen into his or her daily routine
• Value the outcome of treatment more than the cost of treatment
• Believe that he or she can carry out the treatment plan
• Believe that the health care practitioners involved in the treatment process truly care about him or her as a person rather than as a disease to be treated

Levine (1998) demonstrated that the following steps increase adherence:

• Assessing the person's understanding about the disease and the treatment regimen and then providing information where knowledge gaps exist
• Tying the medication-taking process to other daily routines
• Using adherence aids, such as medication organizers or charts
• Simplifying medication regimens
• Providing human support within the health care team
• Recognizing difficulty in coping and other socio-behavioral issues that may affect the person's ability to follow the treatment regimen