Medication Non-adherence by Patients – A Serious Problem for Physicians

Medication Non-adherence

by Patients - A Serious Problem for Physicians

Medical transcription companies serving physicians understand that medication non-adherence is a grave issue, and doctors need to efficiently address it. www.medicaltranscriptionservicecompany.com

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As a medical transcription company working with doctors belonging to all medical specialties, we know how much doctors value their relationship with the patients and focus on ensuring customized care and attention. Prescribing the necessary drugs is a significant task, and it is assumed that the patients listen to the doctor’s directions and take their medications. Unfortunately, this is not happening in many cases.

The process of prescribing a medication is complex as it involves choosing the right drug, determining the dose, scheduling it appropriately for the patient’s physiological status, monitoring its effectiveness, educating the patients about the expected side effects and so on. But one of the major problems that physicians face is getting the patients to take their medicine on time. Medication non-adherence is not a new problem faced by the physicians.

The World Healthcare Organization has identified that good medication adherence could have a significant impact on the health of the population than any improvement in specific medical treatment. Medication non-adherence continues though people are aware of the importance of taking the prescribed medicines. Around half of the patients with chronic illnesses do not take their medicines as prescribed by the doctors even after serious health issues such as heart attacks and strokes. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, in the US, more than 125,000 deaths occur due to medication non-adherence and it costs between $100 billion and $300 billion every year. But this problem is often ignored or overlooked.

Why Does It Still Continue...?

Medication

non-adherence is due to various problems that

are practical

and

psychological, which vary by treatment, disease and individual. Some challenges are logistical like forgetfulness, inconvenience, and cost.

Studies show that forgetting to

take medicine is one of the most common causes of non-adherence and is worsened by the inconvenience of some treatment regimens. The likelihood of taking medicines falls when the patient has to take them more frequently. Almost 80 percent of patients regularly take medications prescribed for once a day, but only half do so when they are asked to take their medicine four times a day.

Another factor is cost and patients are less likely to take their medicines if they have to pay more for the medicine. However, providing free medication may not solve the problem. A study found that among patients who didn’t have to pay for medication, the rate of non-adherence was around 40 percent. These are the practical barriers and in case of psychological barriers, for some patients the idea of taking medication gives them the feeling of being sick, which can be troubling for people with diseases that are

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traumatic, stigmatized or painful. For some patients taking medication gives them a sense of dependency on others or a sense of lost control.

Statistics regarding non-adherence to medications is alarming. In the US alone, more than 125,000 deaths occur due to patients’ failure to take medications and this costs between $100 billion and $300 billion every year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points out. Physicians assume that their patients are taking their medications – few ask them whether they are doing so.

It is the professional responsibility or duty of the doctors to help patients understand their illness; it is a matter of financial responsibility as well. New payment models are more focused on keeping patients healthy and creating economic incentives for clinicians to promote medication adherence. Hospitals are now greatly investing in the latest technology and initiatives to help patients with their medications such as pharmacy-led phone calls to explain about drugs, apps that remind patients to take their medicines regularly, electronic prescribing for real-time monitoring, and monthly reports for doctors.

Ideally, doctors can spend some time with their patients discussing the new medications they prescribe. They should discuss the side-effects, if any, of the medicine and how long it should be taken. They must ensure that they explain why, when, and how patients should take medications. This will help address the problem of medication non-adherence and enable improved health outcomes.

www.medicaltranscriptionservicecompany.com

1-800-670-2809