Patient Adherence Among Chronic Disease Patients. Abstract and Executive Summary

摘要

Compliance has long been a focus of attention since it holds the promise ofbetter outcomes and reduced costs. The goal of this study was to identify attributes of patients with chronic disease that led to better adherence by them. Key findings were: (1) The self-reports were not substantially biased by a desire to make a favorable impression. (2) The initial level of adherence to recommendations was the strongest predictor of compliance two years later. (3) Patients less satisfied with the interpersonal quality and financial aspects of their medical care reported lower levels of adherence. (4) Younger patients were significantly less likely than older ones to comply with specific behavioral recommendations. Somewhat surprisingly, this study 'was unable to show a consistent relationship between adherence and outcomes'.