1. Compliance & Non-Compliance
Compliance is a medical term that means the degree to which a patient correctly follows medical advice.
It usually refers to taking medication, but may also mean use of medical appliances such as compression stockings, chronic wound care, self-directed physiotherapy exercises, or attending counselling or other courses of therapy.

2. Non-Compliance: Why do some people not take their medication?
Forgetfulness:
An elderly gentleman forgets to take his medication because he has memory problems due to the onset of dementia. He sometimes take the medication twice in the same day because he can’t remember if he’s taken it or not. A mum with twin boys forgets to take her medication because her life is so hectic looking after her babies and working part time.
A teenage girl forgets to take her contraceptive pill most mornings because she is dyslexic which affects short term memory.

3. Think of three scenarios each for the following reasons for non-compliance
Poor rapport with physician
Few symptoms
Chronic illness
Prescription not collected or not dispensed
Purpose of treatment not clear
Perceived lack of effect
Real or perceived side-effects
Instructions for administration not clear
Physical difficulty in complying (e.g. opening medicine containers, handling small tablets, swallowing difficulties, travel to place of treatment)
Unattractive formulation, such as unpleasant taste
Complicated regimen
Cost of drugs

4. Compliance Certain factors increase compliance:
1. Acute Illness (short term)
A 7 year old girl has chickenpox. Her older brother already had it and she knows that if she takes the medication, the disease will go in 1 week.

5. Think of 1 scenario for each of the following reasons that increase compliance:
Patient feels ill
Limitations of patients activities due to disease state
Written instructions for taking medication
Simple treatment schedule
Short time spent in waiting room
Physician recommending one change at a time
Benefits of care outweigh costs
Peer support