To support healthcare professionals in improving adherence, a series of articles has been developped to provide digestible learning resources around the role behavior science plays in adherence, including practical insights relating to therapy areas. The articles provide a useful companion to a series of masterclasses where the subjects of adherence and behavioral science are explored in more depth.


Latest articles

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Impact of belief and misconception in medication non-adherence

Beliefs and misconceptions can turn life-saving medications into life-threatening decisions. Let’s understand with few vaccines’ hesitancy example. Firstly, During the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine hesitance, driven by concerns over safety, efficacy, income, education, misinformation, and trust in government, significantly hindered vaccination efforts and prolonged the virus’s circulation4. Secondly, rise in anti-vaccination sentiments surrounding beliefs that vaccines…

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Improving health outcome and system efficiency by investing in medication adherence

In the intricate system of healthcare, medication adherence emerges as a linchpin, weaving together improved health outcomes and heightened efficiency within healthcare systems1. Despite its pivotal role, adherence often remains undervalued or overlooked3. Let’s delve into the profound impact of investing in medication adherence, uncovering its significance beyond individual health to the broader landscape of…

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Unlocking neurological treatment success with biomarker insights

Neurological disorders: A diverse spectrum with complex pathogenesis Neurological disorders (NDs) span a range of conditions affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems, impacting both structure and function1. The global prevalence of NDs is projected to reach 103 million by 20302. These disorders involve progressive loss of neurological function, including dementia, stroke, epilepsy, migraines, brain…

Central Nervous System

Advancing cardiovascular care in China: Insights from an a:care HEOR study on medication adherence

In the relentless pursuit of enhancing patient outcomes, Dr. Nathorn Chaiyakunapruk and colleagues have unveiled findings from a:care Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) study underscoring the transformative power of optimal medication adherence at the 18th Oriental Congress of Cardiology together with the World Congress of Cardiology (OCC-WCC) 2024. The study, conducted by a distinguished…

Cardio Metabolic

Improving chronic care medication adherence via collaborative models

Understanding medication non-adherence in chronic conditions According to World Health Organization (WHO), chronic condition tend to last longer and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors4. Some of the examples are a depressive disorder; coronary heart disease; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; diabetes; and high blood pressure1. The long-term nature…

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Impact of AI technologies on cardio-metabolic health and drug adherence

Navigating the global burden of cardio-metabolic diseases: Is AI the solution? Cardio-metabolic diseases, encompassing cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and diabetes, are significant contributors to global mortality1. Adhering to medication regimens is noted as crucial for successfully managing cardiovascular disease, as highlighted in our previous article “Medication adherence in cardiovascular disease”. Therefore, integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI)…

Cardio Metabolic

Unlocking adherence: The power of motivational interviewing in medication management

Medication non-adherence is a pervasive challenge in healthcare, leading to significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs1. Motivational interviewing (MI) has emerged as a promising approach to enhance adherence by addressing the psychological barriers to medication compliance. Understanding Motivational Interviewing Motivational interviewing is a patient-centered counseling technique that enhances motivation to change by exploring and resolving…

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Connected health devices – the holy grail for improving adherence

From tradition to transformation: Navigating the shift In the recent past, traditional face-to-face healthcare model served as the cornerstone of medical practice, with individuals scheduling appointments with their General Practitioners in response to symptoms or for guidance on health concerns1. This approach changed dramatically with the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated the…

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A patient interacting with pharmacist in a community pharmacy

Community pharmacy interventions for outpatient medication adherence

Non-adherence is a common healthcare problem that derails the population’s health outcomes predicted by the treatment efficacy data. It also leads to the failure in translating the highly expensive and time-consuming process of new drug development5 and results in the wastage of prescribed medications. Non-adherence to medication causes an increase in hospitalizations, follow-up visits, usage…

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Medical professional and patient reviewing information on a tablet.

Enhancing medication adherence with AI-driven personalization

Understanding medication non-adherence: A barrier to health outcomes Non-adherence to medication remains a huge barrier to achieve most favourable outcomes from prescribed treatment, especially in long-term conditions4. In 2018, a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) revealed that failure to adhere to medical advice led to approximately 200,000 premature deaths annually…

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Addressing mental health stigma to improve medication adherence

According to Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 data, a large proportion of the disease burden is attributable to mental disorders with no evidence found in its reduction since 1990. Mental disorders accounted for 654.8 million estimated cases in 1990 which further exceeded 970.1 million cases in 2019, corresponding to an increase of 48.1%4. Individuals…

Central Nervous System
An old lady with happy mood with open arms

Innovative drug delivery: Can it deliver on the promise of medication adherence  ?

Improving medication adherence is touted to have a greater impact on treatment outcomes than the improvement in any one specific treatment. However, it remains a formidable challenge due to its multifaceted nature impacting population health, quality of life, and health economics2.  Barriers to non-adherence are multifactorial and dependent on factors such as2,  Conventionally, interventions to…

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The role of AI in personalized health coaching for adherence

Medication adherence: the elephant in the room. Medication adherence is a widespread challenge, affecting about half of all patients who find it difficult to take their medication as directed. While missing doses may seem trivial, it can have a significant impact on health, potentially leading to severe consequences, including life-threatening situations. A systematic review assessing…

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Gamification for enhancing adherence to mental health treatments

Mental wellbeing is imperative for physical health and day-to-day functioning. However, a sound mental health has become challenging in today’s super connected, yet isolating world. Today, every one in eight people is struggling with a mental health issue which amounts to 14% of the global disease burden3,4. The increasing burden of mental health issues are…

Central Nervous System

A:CARE HEOR study: improving medication adherence leads to better patient prognosis and significant cost saving in Thailand and Mexico

The initial findings from the a:care Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) study were recently showcased at both the American Heart Association (AHA) Congress and the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) Congress. Medication adherence is crucial for predicting cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes in patients requiring secondary prevention. In developing countries, adherence to…

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Enhancing adherence to anticoagulant therapy in atrial fibrillation

Understanding atrial fibrillation and NOAC therapy Atrial Fibrillation (AF), a prevalent cardiac condition affecting approximately 2.3 million Americans, is characterized by an irregular and often rapid heart rate. This condition significantly increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications. The advent of Non-Vitamin K Oral Anticoagulants (NOACs): dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban…

Cardio Metabolic

Improving treatment outcome in mental health by enhancing medication compliance

Medication compliance in mental health Medication adherence, defined as the extent to which a patient follows a prescribed dosing regimen, varies widely among mental health patients, with rates ranging from 20 to 70%. Factors such as substance misuse, negative attitudes towards treatment, doubts about therapy’s effectiveness, and strained healthcare relationships contribute to this inconsistency across…

Central Nervous System