Motivation for Treatment Compliance of Medical Patients - Research Paper Example

? Motivation for treatment compliance of medical patients Motivation for treatment compliance of medical patients For effective healthcare it is necessary that the patient complies with the treatments and the precautions that the doctor prescribes for him. But if the patients are resistant to the treatment and the regime that is recommended to them, then there will be considerable effects on the health of the patient and also aggravate the financial burden. It is important here that the word compliance or treatment adherence is explained. According to the Oxford dictionary the word compliance refers to obeying or following orders of someone that is in power or someone who has the authority. In medical context it refers to following the orders of the authority that is the doctors or whoever is responsible for your health care (Haynes et al 1976). Compliance in this regard will refer to taking the medications prescribed on time; following the diets that complement the treatments and taking the necessary steps to change the lifestyles. Patients due to various factors may not always be keen to follow treatment and show noncompliance, this behavior can be effectively controlled if practitioners encourage patients to comply. The foremost outcome of any therapy and treatment is to bring about the targeted results that will result in the patient recovery from the disease and illness that they are suffering from. But these outcomes and results will not be possible if the patient is not responding to the treatment regime that has been designed for it. This non compliance has been found to be based on factors that result in this behavior. Demographics are one of the most crucial factors that need to be considered here. Age, ethnicity and education level must be considered by the doctors. For instance it has been found that compared to men, women are found to be more adherent to treatment. Also in case of age, patients who are considered to be older and elderly have shown far more cooperation in accepting the treatment compared to those who are relatively young that is fall in 40 or the below bracket. Another factor that plays a determinate role is the psychology of the patients. It was found that those patients who felt that they were more susceptible to a disease or felt that it will be harmful to their health in a considerable manner showed greater adherence to treatment. Another important aspect of the psychological factor is that patients will resist the treatment if the communication and the relationship between the therapist or the doctor and patient is not strong and is lacking in trust and coherence. A common factor that brings about non compliance among patients is the administration of the treatment. Treatments which are self applicable like taking tablets will show commitment and adherence in the long run. If the administration is complex and intricate like chemotherapy, a patient is most likely to resist the treatment and not follow it to the letter. Chronic illnesses are proven to be tougher for the patients to show compliance to the treatment compared to acute illness. The duration of the treatment is one of the biggest factors that affect the adherence to the treatment (Jin et al 2008). Patients are under a lot of frustration and stress when they are undergoing treatment. Even though this is not the major reason for the lack of cooperation and commitment to treatment but in some cases like chronic diseases these factors do help in discouraging the patient in not following the treatment that is set out for him. Heavy financial costs, the strict changes in lifestyles and long term commitment to treatment may tax the patient heavily and encourage him or her to abandon the treatment. There has been extensive research that supports the use of necessary exercises, nutrition and weight management. But nevertheless patients may not adhere to this treatment. For that reason it is important to understand that the key to getting the patient back on treatment is to encourage and motivate them. An aggravating situation is when both the patient and the doctor are at the odds on the treatment. If the doctors or the medical care givers are themselves frustrated by their patient’s behavior, they will only focus on the reasons for their patient’s behavior. But clinical psychologists recommend the use of “motivational interviewing” where the doctors will use empathy to understand the point of view of their patients. They should also try to list out the discrepancies that the patient will have if they carry out the same routine and ignore the one that is best suited for them. They will face resistance but it is important that you let the patients feel that they are in control and allow self efficacy. This is a more patient centered approach in getting them to accept the treatment and not resist it (Butterworth 2008; Delamater 2006). Like employers who employ numerous tactics and tricks to ensure that their employees are satisfied with the work that they are getting and also the effort that they are putting in is being awarded, it is necessary for the doctors to also show support and use tactics to ensure that their patients are motivated and committed to treatment. According to one research it has been recommended that doctors too can use various methods and tricks that can help them create trust with their patients. The best way to encourage the patients to stick to the treatment is by knowing them. Every person is different and doctors cannot generalize them and start encouraging following the treatment. In fact it is far more productive to handle each patient individually and give them respect as they will be living with the disease for the day. Therefore it is important to support a little self efficacy for better management of their illness. It is also important that the doctors allow their patients to develop relationship with other caregivers and doctors. The reason is that people may need the professional expertise of not just one doctor or provider (American Pharmacists Association 2004). In summation it can be said that there are a number of factors that influence the behavior of patients who need treatment for their health and wellbeing but if they are resistant to these treatments and are also not compliant to the doctor’s orders then they will not only incur extra cost but will also be facing adverse consequences on their health and aggravate their conditions. For that reason it is of utmost importance that they are motivated and are kept in the loop about the discrepancies that they are facing by stating the condition that they are in and the condition that they can achieve by accepting treatment. For motivating a patient it is agreed that it is for the best that they are encouraged if they are motivationally interviewed. Also it can work wonders if the health care provider and the patient develop a bond of trust and are synced on the best possible course of action. Patients will shun treatment if there is poor communication between the patients and the provider and also they are not likely to stay with the treatment if they are not constantly motivated by their doctors especially in treatments that are not only workable in long durations but also for chronic diseases that take weeks and months to cure. References American Pharmacists Association. (2004). Enhancing Patient Adherence Proceedings of the Pinnacle Roundtable Discussion. 7,4,1-12. American Pharmacist Association Highlights Newsletter. Retrieved from: http://www.pharmacist.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home2&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=11174 Butterworth, S. W. (January 01, 2008). Influencing patient adherence to treatment guidelines. Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy : Jmcp, 14, 6, 21-4. Delamater, A. M. (January 01, 2006). Improving Patient Adherence. Clinical Diabetes : a Publication of the American Diabetes Association, 24, 2, 71. Haynes, R. B., Sackett, D. L., & Workshop/Symposium on Compliance with Therapeutic Regimens. (1976). Compliance with therapeutic regimens. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. Jin, J., Sklar, G. E., Min, S. O. V., & Chuen, L. S. (January 01, 2008). Factors affecting therapeutic compliance: A review from the patient's perspective. Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management, 4, 1, 269-86. Read More