Physician assessments of patient compliance with medical treatment

In a study of how physicians evaluate patient compliance, practitioner judg ments were compared to thr self-reports of 138 adult patients receiving tre atment for pulmonary diseases at an outpatient clinic. The research found n o significant relationship between physician evaluations of compliance and accounts given by the same patients. The conclusions of physicians regardin g patient compliance proved to be influenced by their views on the seriousn ess of the condition and the effectiveness of treatments, but patient repor ts were different. Physicians clearly have difficulties in appraising the c ompliance behavior of their patients. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All ri ghts reserved.