{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: How can physicians improve medication adherence and outcomes in dermatological conditions?
{Author}: Duong JQ;Bloomquist RF;Feldman SR;
{Journal}: Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res
{Volume}: 0
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 Jun 24
{Factor}: 2.039
{DOI}: 10.1080/14737167.2024.2370911
{Abstract}: <B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Medication non-adherence is a major contributor to suboptimal disease treatment across medical specialties and is a particular hurdle with topicals. While adherence is a patient behavior affected by many socioeconomic and health system factors, physicians can play an important role in encouraging good adherence.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>We discuss methods for measuring adherence, including ethics of such research, provide select examples of dermatology-specific adherence studies, and conclude with physician-focused practices to improve patients' adherence. Articles were selected from a PubMed search spanning 2003 to 10 December 2023, using the following terms: 'dermatology,' 'medication,' 'treatment,' 'adherence,' 'compliance,' and 'intervention.'<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Poor adherence to treatment is a major cause of poor treatment outcomes. As the goal of medical care is to achieve successful treatment outcomes, encouraging good adherence may be as much a foundation of care as making the right diagnosis and prescribing the right treatment. Taking a doctor-centric perspective on reasons for non-adherence may be more productive than simply finding fault with the patient. Establishing trust and accountability is a foundation for good adherence; after establishing the provider-patient relationship, physicians can improve adherence by incorporating behavioral and counseling strategies, communicating through technology, and advocating for distribution of validated educational information.