Adherence to treatment: Global challenge, tangible solutions

The a:care Congress 2022 is an evolution of our inaugural program in 2021, which takes a deeper look at the underlying drivers of non-adherence. Here you can find the recorded sessions delivered by our faculty experts on the two days of the Congress. 

DAY 1: October 8, 2022

WELCOME AND CONGRESS INTRODUCTION
Professor John Weinman and Dr. Matthias Mueller open the congress by introducing the challenges
adherence poses to global health and highlighting the innovative potential that dialogue between behavioral
science and clinical practice offers.
Prof. John Weinman – Dr. Matthias Mueller, Abbott
ADHERENCE IS A COMPLEX BEHAVIOR
Non-adherence is the new cardiovascular risk factor
Over the last few decades, mortality from coronary heart disease has been reduced by 50% thanks to the progress
of medical care in prevention and treatment.1 Today, the main remaining challenge is non-adherence to treatment.
Non-adherence has become the new cardiovascular risk factor, accounting for a high proportion of preventable
hospitalizations and deaths from coronary arterial disease.
Prof. Lale Tokgözoğlu
The paradox of non-adherence to treatment in oncology
Cancer is a complex condition, often thought of in relation to fatal outcomes and minimal chances of recovery.
Despite these heavy associations, oncology is not immune to treatment non-adherence,
with an estimated 12% to 50% of cancer patients not following their oncological treatments as prescribed.2
This session focuses on the paradox of medication non-adherence in oncology and proposes multiple ways to address the paradox in practice.
Prof. Enrique De Madaria
Consequences of non-adherence to narrow therapeutic index drugs
Narrow Therapeutic Index medicines (NTIs) can control epilepsy but require precision – too low a dose will lack efficacy,
too high a dose can be toxic. These tight treatment conditions can make adherence more difficult,
while non-adherence can have fatal consequences with even a single missed dose.
Prof. Pavel Klein
The challenge and causes of non-adherence
With about 50% of medicines not taken as prescribed3 and an estimated cost of 125 billion euros per year,
treatment non-adherence is a major healthcare challenge. This session takes a deep dive into behavioral science
and explores the complexity of the beliefs and perceptions that can underlie non-adherence.
Prof. Rob Horne
Practical individual interventions any healthcare professionals can apply to detect and address non-adherence
Since 50% of patients are likely to become non-adherent to long-term medication, the understanding and
management of adherence challenges become critical. Behavioral experts have developed behavioral techniques
and educational and interventional tools to support adherence that any healthcare professional can apply or prescribe.
Prof. John Weinman
TOWARDS A SHIFT OF PARADIGM FROM TREATING DISEASES TO TREATING PEOPLE
International Society of Hypertension – Raising awareness on non-adherence 
Hypertension is the leading cause of death globally, affecting over 1.4 billion people.4 The rate of non-adherence
escalates with the number of medicines prescribed, from less than 10% for a single pill to a very high rate of partial
or complete non-adherence for five or more. In this context, the Internal Society of Hypertension has implemented
actions to raise awareness of non-adherence and prevent harmful outcomes linked to the hypertension cascade.
Prof. Alta Schutte
International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology – From treating diseases to treating patients: changing mindsets
Menopause is a physiological stage of women’s lives that is surrounded by preconceptions and is often
seen as a benchmark of ageing. Menopause can be mentally and physically challenging and comes at a time when
women are in their prime with so much of life to live. It is necessary for practitioners to lay aside stigma and
preconceptions, to not treat menopause as a condition and instead to treat women as people going through an
important life transition.
Prof. Tommaso Simoncini
VIEW FROM THE OTHER SIDE  
Patient perspectives of adherence and how these can help us improve our practice
Over the last few decades, mortality from coronary heart disease has been reduced by 50% thanks to the progress
of medical care in prevention and treatment.1 Today, the main remaining challenge is non-adherence to treatment.
Non-adherence has become the new cardiovascular risk factor, accounting for a high proportion of preventable hospitalizations and deaths from coronary arterial disease.
Prof. John Weinman – Heidi Floyd
CLOSING FIRST DAY
Prof. John Weinman

DAY 2: October 15, 2022

INTRODUCTION
Prof. John Weinman
PANEL DISCUSSION: SHARING REFLECTIONS AND BEST PRACTICE
Prof. John Weinman – Prof. Enrique De Madaria – Dr. Shashank Joshi – Prof. Pavel Klein
Prof. Marcus Malachias – Dr. Zuluaga Hector Medina – Prof. Badr Eldin Moustafa – Prof. Nuri Ozgirgin
Prof. Alta Schutte – Prof. Tommaso Simoncini – Assoc. Prof. Ngiap Chuan Tan
PANEL DISCUSSION: RAISING ADHERENCE AS A PUBLIC HEALTH PRIORITY
Prof. John Weinman – Prof. Enrique De Madaria – Dr. Shashank Joshi – Prof. Pavel Klein
Prof. Marcus Malachias – Dr. Zuluaga Hector Medina – Prof. Badr Eldin Moustafa – Prof. Nuri Ozgirgin
Prof. Alta Schutte – Prof. Tommaso Simoncini – Assoc. Prof. Ngiap Chuan Tan
CLOSING CONGRESS
Prof. John Weinman – Dr. Matthias Mueller, Abbott

References

1. McClellan M, Brown N, et al. Call to action; Urgent Challenges in Cardiovascular Disease. Circulation. 2019;139:e44-54
2. Greer Joseph, Amoyal Nicole, et al. A Systematic Review of Adherence to Oral Antineoplastic Therapies. The Oncologist 2016;21:354-376​.
3. Sabaté E, editor. Adherence to long-term therapies: evidence for action. World Health Organization; 2003. ​
4. Egan BM., Kjeldsen SE.  et al. The global burden of hypertension exceeds 1.4 billion people. Journal of Hypertension. 2019: 37(6):1148-1153.​


Endorsed by