NEHI to launch medication initiative for patients with chronic illnesses
The New England Healthcare Institute is launching an initiative to investigate the reasons that some patients with chronic illnesses do not adhere to their medication regimens, and ways to improve adherence to taking prescribed medications. The initiative comes at a time when many patients with chronic care specifically are struggling to pay for the medications necessary for prevention. Patients with chronic conditions are more prone to healthcare complications if they do not adhere to their strict medication regimens. NEHI estimates that one third to one half of all patients with a chronic illness do not adhere to their prescribed medication regimens.
Other reasons that patients don’t stick to what their doctors advise for taking medications include forgetfulness, medication side effects, a break from illness symptoms, and low health literacy. Additionally, chronic patients who do not adhere to their medication regimens cost the health system $177 billion each year.
NEHI is hoping to identify strategies to boost patients’ compliance with prescribed medication regimens by creatively packaging medications, incorporating automated reminders into patient care, and using new patient education techniques, among other plans.
About the Author: Heather Comak is a Managing Editor at HCPro, Inc., where she is the editor of the monthly publication Briefings on Patient Safety, as well as patient safety-related books, webcasts, and audio conferences. She is also is the Assistant Director of the Association for Healthcare Accreditation Professionals (www.accreditationprofessional.com) and manages Patient Safety Monitor (www.patientsafetymonitor.com), of which this blog is a part.
Contact Heather by e-mailing hcomak@hcpro.com
