Why Medical Adherence is Crucial for Effective Treatment and Long-Term Health

Preventing worsening of conditions
For chronic health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, etc. that require long-term management, non-adherence to treatment increases the risks of the condition worsening over time or leading to serious health complications. Following the prescribed treatment plan helps keep such conditions stable and prevent costly health deteriorations.

Slowing progression of diseases
Diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and certain cancers have treatments that specifically aim to prevent progression of the disease to more advanced stages. Missing doses or therapy sessions gives the disease room to progress faster. Adhering to medical advice helps slow this progression.

Saving healthcare costs
Non-adherence is estimated to cost the global healthcare system over $500 billion annually due to preventable visits, hospitalizations, and illnesses. Medical Adherence to treatment as recommended helps avoid unnecessary, costly medical care down the line that results from treatment failure or condition worsening due to non-adherence.

Positive impact on quality of life
Well-managed health conditions allow patients an enhanced quality of life by reducing symptoms, improving functionality, and minimizing lost time from work or other activities. Medical adherence plays a big role in maintaining wellness and productivity.

Barriers to Medical Adherence

While the importance of adherence is clear, numerous barriers can undermine a patient's ability or willingness to consistently follow their treatment plan. Some of the most common reasons for non-adherence include:

Forgetfulness
Forgetting to take medications, especially for those on numerous daily pills, is a leading cause of missed doses. This issue tends to be more pronounced in elderly patients managing multiple chronic conditions. Setting phone reminders, using pill organizers, and partnering with family members are strategies that can help remedy forgetfulness.

Financial costs
High out-of-pocket costs for medications, frequent doctor visits or medical tests pose obstacles for patients struggling financially. This is a major adherence barrier globally, and assistance programs help increase affordability.