Review of Patient Adherence to Medical Treatment
Author Information
Author(s): van Dulmen Sandra, Sluijs Emmy, van Dijk Liset, de Ridder Denise, Heerdink Rob, Bensing Jozien
Primary Institution: NIVEL (Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research)
Hypothesis
What are effective adherence interventions and how well do they improve non-adherence?
Conclusion
There is a scarcity of comparative studies explicitly contrasting theoretical models or their components.
Supporting Evidence
- Effective interventions were found in each of four theoretical approaches to adherence interventions: technical, behavioural, educational, and multi-faceted.
- Technical solutions, such as a simplification of the regimen, were often found to be effective.
- Behavioural interventions, such as reminders and incentives, showed significant improvements in adherence.
- Educational interventions were effective but their impact diminished over time.
Takeaway
This study looked at different ways to help patients stick to their medical treatments and found that some methods work better than others.
Methodology
The study is a review of 38 systematic reviews of the effectiveness of adherence interventions published between 1990 and 2005.
Potential Biases
The potential for bias exists due to the subjective nature of some included studies.
Limitations
The reviews included were of high quality, yet more well-designed studies are needed to formulate robust recommendations.
Participant Demographics
The reviews cover a wide range of diseases, including cardiovascular issues, diabetes, and mental health disorders.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website