Adherence to Long-Term Therapy - A Model of Assessment Into Primary Care

Abstract

Adherence to long-term therapy is a challenge for patients worldwide. In developing countries the focus is placed on adherence to antiretroviral treatment for HIV and antibacterial treatment for TB, while patients and health care providers in developed countries grapple with adherence to treatment of chronic lifestyle diseases such as diabetes. Adherence is a crucial element of successful treatment – some say it is the backbone of any medical treatment. It is therefore of utmost importance for health care providers to assess how adherent their patients are. However, this is often overlooked in routine patient assessments in primary care.