CLINICAL CARE: MEDICATION MANAGEMENT
BY MARK MCGRAW
Improving Patient Medication Adherence
At a Glance •
Three-quarters of adults taking medications are nonadherent in at least some way.
•
Patients may not understand the need to start or continue taking a medication, particularly for an asymptomatic condition.
•
It’s important to consider the cost and availability of the medication you’re prescribing.
•
Partner with your patients, working with their preferences to choose the optimal medications to treat their conditions.
Thirty-two million Americans use three or more medications daily, and 75% of adults taking medications are nonadherent in at least some way. Thirty percent of prescriptions are never filled, and 50% of medications for chronic disease aren’t taken as prescribed. Those figures are from studies conducted before the pandemic — current rates may be even higher.1 A host of factors contribute to this problem, says Daniel Reichert, MD, medical director for the department of family medicine at Loma Linda University Health, California. He recommends talking to your patients about any barriers they face. You can address those concerns before they leave your clinic and develop “trusting relationships to influence [patients’] attitudes about taking the medications.” Here’s a look at the most common barriers and how to address them. Medication Misunderstandings Patients may not understand the need to start or continue taking a medication, particularly for an asymptomatic condition. Go over every medication and explain what it does, why it’s important, and why they should take the full course as prescribed, says Kelly Gibson, CRNP, an NP at Howard County General Hospital, Columbia, Maryland.
CONVENIENT CARE CLINICIAN
020-022_CCC_ClinicalCare_Medication_0522.indd 20
20
APRIL/MAY 2022
5/11/22 11:55 AM
