ABSTRACT

The New York Times has called adherence the world’s "other drug problem." Physicians prescribe medications, but patients do not always use them. While it would be easy for physicians to blame patients for treatment failures, physicians can do more to motivate patients to use their medications as recommended.

Practical Ways to Improve Patient Adherence, Second Edition, is an excellent resource for physicians and allied health professionals whose patients exhibit poor adherence. Daniel J. Lewis, MD (Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Health System), and experienced adherence researcher, Steven R. Feldman, MD, PhD (Departments of Dermatology and Social Sciences & Health Policy, Wake Forest University School of Medicine), examine the problem of poor adherence and offer concrete techniques to encourage patients to use their medications and improve treatment outcomes.

This book offers novel, potent ways to get patients to use their medications and improve treatment outcomes – tools healthcare providers can use day in and day out. A medical education is not complete without a thorough understanding of the hurdles that contribute to poor adherence and what health professionals can and should do about it.

"20 years of patient adherence research presented in a simple, fun, and easy-to-read style … a once-in-a-lifetime treat!"

Warren H. Chan, MD, MS, Dermatologist"East to digest and remarkably practical for physicians. … Recommend it to all my friends in medicine!"

Diego R. Dasilva, MD, Dermatologist

Named the winner of the 2022 “Best Overall” Dermie Award by the Dermasphere podcast.

Published in association with the Journal of Dermatological Treatment.

chapter 1|2 pages

Introduction

section Section 1|25 pages

The Problem of Poor Adherence

chapter 2|4 pages

How Poor Is Patient Adherence?

chapter 3|6 pages

Qualitative Measures of Adherence

chapter 4|9 pages

Clinical Studies on Adherence

chapter 5|3 pages

Why Is Adherence So Poor? It Is Our Fault

chapter 6|2 pages

A Pyramid Model for Improving Adherence

section Section 2|17 pages

Foundation—Trust and Accountability

chapter 8|4 pages

Setting the Right Office Visit Context

chapter 9|5 pages

Fostering Patient Accountability

section Section 3|25 pages

Practicality—Simplicity and Education

chapter 11|5 pages

Reducing the Burden of Treatment

chapter 12|9 pages

Educating and Providing Instructions

chapter 13|4 pages

Helping Patients Remember

section Section 4|19 pages

Psychology—Behavioral Techniques

chapter 14|4 pages

Anchoring

chapter 15|4 pages

Giving Salient Descriptions

chapter 16|2 pages

Emphasizing Losses versus Gains

chapter 17|5 pages

Framing Risks of Side Effects

chapter 18|3 pages

Using Side Effects to Our Advantage

section Section 5|14 pages

Special Considerations

chapter 19|3 pages

Patients with Psychiatric Conditions

chapter 20|6 pages

Pediatric Patients

chapter 21|1 pages

Suddenly Adherent Patients

chapter 22|3 pages

The Most Adherence-Resistant Patients

section Section 6|14 pages

Illustrative Cases

chapter 23|3 pages

Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis

chapter 24|3 pages

Skin Cap for Psoriasis

chapter 25|3 pages

Coral Reef Psoriasis

chapter 26|4 pages

Scalp Psoriasis

section Section 7|4 pages

Final Thoughts

chapter 27|1 pages

Poor Adherence Is Not All Bad

chapter 28|2 pages

Conclusions