Improving Patient Adherence

IN BRIEF Regimen adherence problems are common in individuals with diabetes, making glycemic control difficult to attain. Because the risk of complications of diabetes can be reduced by proper adherence, patient nonadherence to treatment recommendations is often frustrating for diabetes health care professionals. This article reviews the scope of the adherence problem and the factors underlying it. The author discusses the concepts of compliance and adherence and offers recommendations for improving adherence by adopting a more collaborative model of care emphasizing patient autonomy and choice.