Re: E-DRUG: terms compliance and the patient

["J.W.F. van Mil" <jwfvmil@wxs.nl>]

E-DRUG: terms compliance and the patient (cont)
-----------------------------------------------

I don't believe the poor adherence, compliance or concordance of 
AIDS patients is a result of the terminology used. It is the result of 
the complexity of the treatment. Whateven name you like to give to 
compliance, it has been firmly established that sticking to the right 
regimen is a complex procedure, not only for the AIDS patient. 
Although I also prefer the term adherence over compliance, I think 
this is an academic debate. Whatever the patient believes 
influences how he deals with medical and pharmaceutical 
treatment. A patient could not care less if we name his behaviour 
towards the planned treatment as non-compliance or non-
adherence. 
It is the interest of health care, to make sure the patients stick to 
the planned medical regiment, because that way, we as 
professionals, are more or less sure that the treatment goals can 
be reached. Whatever we call the fact that the patient does not 
behave like we intended him/her to do, is of no significance to the 
final goal: installing optimal treatment for a disease or ailment for 
the benefit of the patient.

Foppe
Foppe van Mil, Pharm D. Community pharmacist and researcher
Margrietlaan 1, NL 9471 CT Zuidlaren, The Netherlands
Tel: +31 50 4094333. Fax +31 50 4090732. Email: jwfvmil@wxs.nl
 
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