ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the different reasons why individuals fail to follow their clinicians’ instructions and/or recommendations and various interventions that have been shown to be effective to improve patient adherence. It presents the case report that demonstrates how the adherence information should be used clinically. Adherence is defined by the World Health Organization as “the extent to which a person’s behavior, such as: taking medication, following a diet, and/or executing lifestyle changes, corresponds with agreed recommendations from a healthcare provider.” The Smart Inhaler technology is more expensive but it provides documentation of the patient’s adherence record and it can be applied to a greater variety of the metered-dose inhalers in use. One way to estimate adherence with the patient in the clinic is to ask a question that suggests that most patients do not follow directions fully. Regimen factors that may affect adherence include: duration, frequency, complexity, cost, efficacy, and real or perceived concerns about side effects.
