Question
What are the top three barriers to treatment adherence, and how can healthcare providers address them?
Answer
The top three barriers to treatment adherence are lack of trust, poor communication with the healthcare team, and the patient’s perception of treatment difficulty. A lack of trust can undermine the patient-provider relationship, making it difficult for patients to fully engage in their treatment plans. When trust is compromised, patients may feel hesitant to follow medical advice or may doubt the necessity and efficacy of the recommended treatments.
Poor communication is another significant barrier. If healthcare providers do not clearly convey treatment information or fail to actively listen to patients’ concerns, patients may feel misunderstood or overlooked. This can lead to confusion about treatment instructions, decreased motivation, and an increased likelihood of non-adherence. Additionally, the patient’s perception that the treatment will be overly difficult or uncomfortable can lead to fear or resistance, especially if they are worried about adverse effects. This fear may be heightened among patients with low health literacy, who may misunderstand the likelihood or nature of potential side effects.
To improve adherence, healthcare providers should focus on building trust, maintaining open and clear communication, and addressing any misconceptions the patient may have about the treatment. By fostering a supportive environment and directly addressing concerns about adverse effects, providers can help alleviate patients' fears and improve their willingness to adhere to treatment plans.
This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the webinar, Effective Communication Techniques to Build Patient Rapport: Making the Most of the Acute Care Bedside Visit, presented by Patricia DeBruhl, MA DBH, LPC, NBCC
