Barriers of Medication Adherence and Health Outcomes

Medication adherence is a worldwide health care problem. Medication adherence refers to whether patients take medication as prescribed by the healthcare provider. Increasing medication adherence may have a great impact on the health of the population. Poor adherence is associated with adverse health effects, increased financial burden, and loss of productivity. We examined both direct and indirect measurements of medication adherence that have been previously used in order to analyze the reasons for this problem. Reasons for non-adherence include patient-related factors, condition-related factors, therapy-related factors, social and economic factors, and the health care system structure. Overall, poor adherence compromises the effectiveness of treatment and may result in adverse events along with a significant cost to healthcare. A multidisciplinary approach needs to be taken in order to provide interventions for poor medication adherence. In conclusion, the quality of the relationship between the provider and the patient is the most important in regards to improving adherence.