What is meant by improving patient adherence? Can health-related theories in psychology be used to predict who will and who will not adhere to medical advice? Why or why not?

Enhancing patient adherence refers to the methods and strategies that are used to encourage patients to follow prescribed treatment regimens, medical advice, or lifestyle modifications as recommended by healthcare providers. Adherence plays a vital role in promoting healthcare since it can be used to determine the effectiveness of treatment plans and reduce the risk of complications. For example, when patients adhere to their prescribed medication regime, make necessary lifestyle changes, and attend follow-up appointments, they are more likely to experience positive health outcomes. On the contrary, poor adherence can result in treatment failure, increased healthcare costs, and worsening health conditions (Horne & Weinman, 2020).

However, several reasons have been fronted to explain why patients may not adhere to medical advice. They include financial constraints, complex medication regimens, lack of understanding, side effects, or psychological barriers such as denial, fear, or mistrust. To improve adherence, it is important to address these issues through simplified treatment plans, better patient education, providing support, and creating a collaborative approach between healthcare providers and patients (Janis, 2020).

Health-related theories in psychology can be used to predict who is more likely to adhere to medical advice and who may not. These theories assist in understanding the psychological factors that influence behavior change and decision-making related to health. For instance, the Health Belief Model (HBM) argues that individuals are more likely to adhere to medical advice if they believe they are susceptible to a health condition, perceive the condition as serious, believe the recommended action will reduce their risk, and feel they can successfully act (Horne & Weinman, 2020). For example, a patient who perceives their condition as life-threatening and believes that following their medication plan will prevent severe complications is more likely to adhere to the treatment.

Another theory is the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), which suggests that an individual’s intention to engage in a behavior is influenced by their attitudes toward the behavior, subjective norms (i.e., beliefs about what others think they should do), and perceived behavioral control. In the context of medical adherence, if a patient has a positive attitude toward the treatment, feels social support from family or healthcare providers, and believes they can manage the treatment regimen, they are more likely to adhere (Janis, 2020).

However, while these theories can predict adherence to some extent, they are not without faults. According to Kuypers (2020), human behavior is complex and influenced by a multitude of factors beyond psychological constructs, including cultural beliefs, socioeconomic status, and environmental factors. For example, even if a patient has a strong belief in the efficacy of treatment (as predicted by the HBM or TPB), they may still struggle to adhere due to financial barriers or side effects. Therefore, while health-related theories can provide useful insights, they are not the only predictors of adherence, and a multifaceted approach is often necessary to improve patient outcomes.

References

Horne, R., & Weinman, J. (2020). Predicting treatment adherence: an overview of theoretical models. Adherence to Treatment in Medical Conditions, 25-50.

Janis, I. L. (2020). Improving adherence to medical recommendations: Prescriptive hypotheses derived from recent research in social psychology. Handbook of Psychology and Health, Volume IV, 113-148.

Kuypers, D. R. (2020). From nonadherence to adherence. Transplantation, 104(7), 1330-1340.