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

Explaining non-adherence – The Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behavior (COM-B) framework

There are many reasons, some modifiable, that patients do not adhere to cardiovascular-disease treatments, therefore, a comprehensive framework for assessing and understanding adherence is needed1 The COM-B system is a framework for understanding behavior that has been applied to adherence, encompassing Capability, Opportunity and Motivation2,3 COM-B allows  for a precise understanding of the relationship between…

Cardio Metabolic

Personalization of adherence support with Patient Support Programs (PSPs): the advent of the digital era

Patient Support Programs (PSPs) are behavioral interventions designed to help patients adhere to their medication and treatment plans PSPs are increasingly incorporating digital components, such as SMS, web portals and artificial intelligence to reach the broadest patient population possible Effective PSPs are personalized, applying behavioral-science techniques to digital interventions to increase their effectiveness PSPs are…

Cardio Metabolic

Behavioral approaches to changing adherence in patients with cardiovascular disease

Commonly used strategies to influence behavior are often also the least effective Using theory driven behavioral interventions, such as motivational interviewing,  can influence patient health behavior and disease outcomes A range of behavior change techniques can be used for improving treatment adherence Effectiveness of commonly used behavior-change strategies Commonly used strategies to influence behavior may…

Cardio Metabolic

Using tools to assess patient adherence

Measures and survey tools, in conjunction with objective measures, are useful tools for characterizing patient health behavior Effective use of these tools has the potential to improve adherence Measures and survey tools are useful for characterizing patient health behavior Quantitative methods are useful for characterizing health behavior and supporting patients in the self-management of their…

Cardio Metabolic

The role of beliefs in non-adherence

Beliefs have a strong influence over a patient’s motivation to adhere to treatment These include patient beliefs about their illness, their treatment and their own capacity for adhering (self-efficacy) It is vital that clinicians assess patients individually to understand their beliefs and motivations, supporting them in adhering to their medication regimens Beliefs have an important…

Cardio Metabolic

Understanding adherence from a cardiovascular-disease perspective

Adherence is a behavior that encompasses the patient, the healthcare provider and the ability to follow agreed recommendations e.g., dietary changes and exercise Adherence comprises multiple stages and can be divided into intentional or non-intentional behaviors There are a variety of factors that influence one’s ability to adhere, extending from the initial consultation through to…

Cardio Metabolic

The adherence challenge in cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality globally, and disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries Around 40-50% of patients with cardiovascular disease demonstrate poor or non-adherence to their treatment regimen. This can have a detrimental impact on not only the individual, but also the wider community Adherence as a behavior requires the understanding and…

Cardio Metabolic

Understanding the challenge of adherence in pancreatic exocrine insufficiency

Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency poses a significant burden on the lives of those affected Adherence to medications is challenging due to regimens that require precise dose and timing Collaboration between healthcare provider and patient is important to reinforce adherence as a positive behavior Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency is associated with several conditions Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) is…

Gastroenterology

The role of beliefs in non-adherence

The beliefs of patients have a strong influence over their likelihood of adherence to medications Belief-based models have been successfully applied to a variety of health behaviors, including adherence Patients’ own beliefs about their treatment and their own ability to be adherent are important factors, but are not fixed: educational interventions and encouragement may lead…

Gastroenterology

Behavioral approaches to changing adherence

Commonly used behavioral change techniques may not always be effective in changing behavior Utilizing techniques such as motivational interviewing may be useful in changing patient adherence behavior Commonly used behavior-change strategies Commonly used behavioral change techniques may not always be the most effective methods of changing behavior.1 For example, presenting threatening information may not have…

Gastroenterology