This article explores the issues surrounding compliance with treatment in patients with asthma. Epidemiological data (Pendleton, 1991) suggest that although overall mortality rates from asthma are falling, this is not the case in the adolescent and young adult age groups. Also, there has been little impact on morbidity figures for the disease. All of this is set against an expenditure of 430 Pounds billion per annum on asthma medication. It would appear that patients are not complying with the prescribed treatment. This article examines the reasons for possible non-adherence with therapy and suggests that healthcare professionals must review their attitudes to this problem. The next article will examine in more detail issues relating to patients' adherence.
The first article (Vol 7(21): 1313-15) in this two-part article examining the role of compliance in asthma management, discussed the concept of adherence to treatment. In this article, the role of the healthcare professional in improving adherence is discussed in greater depth. When attempting to improve patients' adherence to treatment, the healthcare professional must adopt a number of roles, e.g. counsellor, educator, negotiator and problem-solver. Practical advice and information is provided to facilitate an improved therapeutic alliance between professional and patient, with the emphasis on achieving shared goals.
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