4 ways to Improve Patient Compliance

Are you frustrated with the level of compliance of your patients? Are you racking your brain trying to figure out why your patients are not following the care plan you have outlined? I have found that patients are non-compliant for several reasons. They may not understand the care plan. They may be too intimidated to ask questions to ensure their understanding. They may lack the financial resources to afford their medications. Whatever their reasons, you cannot help unless you understand the barriers facing your patients.

Here are 4 ways to improve patient compliance.

1. Be an Active Listener
   
   Being an active listener requires listening to understand, repeating what you heard and responding in a thoughtful way. This reinforces to patients they are heard and that what they are conveying is important. This small step will go along way to establish and strengthen the trust within the doctor-patient relationship.
   
   
2. Ask Patients to Repeat the Care Plan Back to You
   
   Active listening can be a reciprocal arrangement. Just as you were a conscientious listener, your patient can be also. Asking them to repeat the care plan reinforces their understanding and makes them an active participant in the encounter.  This will allow you to gauge just how much your patient is retaining. Retention and understanding are necessary for compliance.
   
   
3. Encourage Patients to Take Notes
   
   After your patient demonstrates a sound understanding of the care plan as you have outlined, encourage them to write it down. Hearing the care plan and then writing it down will solidify their understanding and will increase the likelihood of compliance when they return home. They will have their notes from the office to refer to. This will decrease confusion and increase their confidence they are following your advice to the letter. If you are looking for a tracking tool for your patients to organize their medical information, consider “My Medical Journey:  Personal Healthcare Maintenance Journal.” www.mymedicaljourney.shop
   
   
4. Ask About Barriers to Compliance
   
   Once you have clearly outlined the care plan, ask your patients if they foresee any barriers to their ability to comply. Identifying barriers early will allow your team (i.e., social worker or case manager) to assist the patient and increase the likelihood they will remain compliant. Anticipating our patients needs will definitely increase compliance and will go a long way to build trust.