Medication adherence part one: understanding and assessing the problem

Abstract

Purpose: This is the first of a three-part series on medication adherence in which the authors describe the continuum of adherence to nonadherence of medication usage.

Data sources: Research articles through MEDLINE and PubMed.

Conclusions: Understanding the magnitude and scope of the problem of medication nonadherence is the first step in reaching better adherence rates. The second step is to evaluate the risk factors for each patient for medication adherence/nonadherence. The third step is to assess for adherence. The process will continue with a consistent systematic process to evaluate continual adherence.

Implications for practice: The implications for nurse practitioners include using time with patients to assist them in adherence, building a trusting relationship with patients, and developing protocols for assessing and preventing nonadherence.

Keywords: Medication adherence; adherence; medication nonadherence; nonadherence.