Working with patients to enhance medication adherence

Abstract

Optimal diabetes care is achievable if clinicians collaborate with patients in managing diabetes and if health care systems support systematic patient response monitoring and enhance treatment titration to achieve favorable diabetes outcomes with minimal complications. A first step in working with patients is recognizing that not "taking medications as directed" is common. Useful clinical encounters and approaches include a nonjudgmental assessment of medication-taking, clear explanations about how to use medications, simplified regimens, and scheduled follow-up visits or telephone calls to monitor progress and adjust treatment. Such practical approaches are ones that health care providers and patients can use in a busy primary care setting.