Homepage › Forums › Social Determinants: Red Cohort Forum › Non-adherence
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Horgandme.
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Nadine Abdallah
GuestDuring my residency, I encountered a lot of patients with non-adherence to medications, but the cases were very different. This became more clear as I took more time in clinic t inquire about causes of non-adherence. I have learned that a big portion of the cases can be easily influenced by listening to the patient and communication. I remember a few cases where I was able to make a difference this way. I had a patient who was not taking metformin because she thought it was causing LE edema. So when I found out, I told her that this was not a typical SE of metformin, and was most likely caused by amlodipine, which I stopped.After that, she became adherent to metformin. Another case of non-adherence that I recall was a patient who did not take a medication because it was difficult to coordinate it with her work hours, so I was able to make adjustments to the timing, and improve adherence. These are some examples were inquiry and communication solved the problem, but There are a lot of cases where I still feel that the factors causing non-adherence, like inability to afford the medication, or lack of transport to pick it from the pharmacy, are difficult to control, and I am hoping to acquire the skills and resources to be able to help in this subset of patients.
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Anju
GuestIt sounds like your experiences during residency have really shaped your understanding of non-adherence to medications. You’ve touched on some key aspects of patient communication, such as actively listening and addressing misunderstandings, which can have a big impact on adherence. Your examples highlight how simple adjustments, whether in clarifying side effects or medication timing, can make a real difference for patients.
You’re also right to acknowledge the broader challenges like cost and transportation, which are often harder to address directly. Many patients might find outlets in their community resources or patient assistance programs, but not everyone has access to these. It’s inspiring that you’re looking to further develop the skills and resources to help in these areas. Perhaps learning more about these outlets in your future practice, such as affordable pharmacies or transport assistance, could be valuable tools to have. Keep up the great work!
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