The term therapeutic adherence highlights the active participation of the patient in decision-making mediating the agreement that must exist in the health professional/patient relationship and not only paternalistic attitudes and passive obligation on the part of the patient in reference to decision-making. medication, changing habits or simply following a proper diet.
Lack of therapeutic adherence is a public health problem
The lack of therapeutic adherence is a clear public health problem of the first magnitude, with an average prevalence of 50% in chronic pathologies and polymedicated patients.
Charles Everett Koop (1916-2013) is considered the most influential surgeon in changing the attitudes of the American population, thanks to his work in the prevention of smoking and AIDS, he stated that “medications do not work in those patients who do not you take them”.
Thus, adherence can be defined as “the degree to which a patient’s behavior coincides with the instructions provided by the health professional, in regard to taking medication, following an adequate and prescribed diet or to the modification of habits or changes in their lifestyle”.
Some consequences of not carrying it out
Health professionals and managers know that the lack of therapeutic adherence constitutes a serious public health problem, producing significant consequences, among which are:
- Failure to achieve the therapeutic goals set.
- Readmissions.
- Increased costs.
- Increased morbidity and mortality.
- Reduced sanitary efficiency.
With all this, the question to ask is how can the nursing staff promote therapeutic adherence? There are numerous strategies, although the most effective is the combination of several and the individualization of each patient. The most recommended is oral and corroborated written information.