Improving patient compliance with asthma therapy

Patients fail to comply with asthma medication for a variety of reasons. Th ese range from physical inability to use an inhaler, through simple forgetf ulness, to a conscious decision not to use medication as prescribed due to internal or cultural health beliefs or socioeconomic factors. in some patie nts, poor self-care because of deep-rooted psychological factors (i.e. fact ors of which patients have only limited awareness) can affect compliance. P oor doctor-patient communication can be the cause in many other individuals . Thus, then is no single solution that will improve compliance in all pati ents. Simplifying the regimen or providing memory aids will be sufficient f or some patients, while education or psychological counselling will he more appropriate for others. Doctors can also use a range of communication skil ls to improve the way in which they present information, motivate patients and reinforce progress. These approaches, plus respect for patients? health beliefs and involving them in treatment decisions, can help foster an atmo sphere of mutual responsibility and concordance over medicine taking.