Medication Adherence: Many Conditions,a Common Problem

Abstract

The problem of adherence — why people fail to follow therapies intended to improve their health — has long bedeviled researchers in medicine, public health, nursing, pharmacology, psychology, and beyond. Most studies have focused on solving problems surrounding a specific condition (such as diabetes) or behavior (such as smoking cessation). This proposal presents a generalized, cross-condition model — the Adherence Loop model — that describes the role of beliefs, knowledge, and actions for designing better adherence programs. The model is based on studies from 4 diverse conditions: multiple sclerosis (MS), weight loss, osteoporosis, and erectile dysfunction (ED). The model suggests ways to support the design process and create programs, tools, and environments to promote adherence by better understanding patients' journeys and mental models of their conditions.