Patients often fail to comply with medical prescriptions. Their non-compliance is due to multiple reasons, which can be patient-based, doctor-based, or medication-based. Understanding the major causes can help medical practitioners understand their patients better, and help them follow the prescriptions more keenly.
Patients may forget to take their medication. The problem is common among older patients or those that have illnesses that affect cognition (Adams, Holland, and Urban, 2014). However, even young patients may forget to take their medication, especially after the symptoms of their disease dissipate.
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Doctors contribute to patients’ non-compliance by failing to educate their patients sufficiently. The results of a survey show that over seventy percent of noncompliant patients claim that they would be more compliant if they better understand their conditions, and the role of the prescribed medication (Oyekan et al., 2009). They struggle with blindly following doctors’ instructions.
Finally, complicated regimens are difficult to follow. Many patients fail to adhere, without even realizing it. For example, when a patient has to take many doses in a day, they might get confused about whether they have had them all, and may end up over or underdosing.
The medication for diabetes requires rigorous self-monitoring, dietary inhibitions, and insulin administration. Strict adherence requires high levels of personal discipline that some patients lack (Riaz et al., 2014). Also, patients may forget to take timely blood sugar tests. Patients may also be reluctant to administer insulin, especially when it requires an injection.
Non-compliance with diabetes medication can be disastrous. When not regulated, the spells of low blood sugar can cause dizziness and even loss of consciousness. The episodes pose a threat to the patient and people around them if, for instance, they were driving. Similarly, high blood sugar levels can cause permanent damage to organs such as the eyes, affecting one’s overall quality of life.
Some solutions to non-compliance with diabetes medication include the provision of support personnel. For example, nurses or dedicated family members can ensure that one follows the prescription. Also, the availability of management tools, such as electronic reminders can help one remain adherent. Therefore, commitment to compliance requires the cooperation of the patients, doctors, and other third parties too.
References
Adams, M., Holland, N., & Urban, C. (2014). Pharmacology for nurses: A pathophysiologic Approach (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Inc.
Oyekan, E., Nimalasuriya, A., Martin, J., Scott, R., and Dudi, R. J. (2009). The B-SMART Appropriate Medication-Use Process: A Guide for Clinicians to Help Patients— Part 1: Barriers, Solutions, and Motivation. The Permanente Journal, 13(1), 62-69.
Riaz, M., Basit, A., Fawwad, A., Ahmedani, M. Y., & Rizvi, Z. A. (2014). Factors Associated with Non-adherence to Insulin in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences 30(2), 233-239.
