Improving adherence to medical advice

Simple Model (Ley)

Money as an incentive (Yokley and Glenwick)

The Funhaler (Watt)

Patient and family communication

Leaving the bias

Modifying patient beliefs

Evaluating adherence

Imparting Knowledge

Simplifying regimen characteristics

Matching treatment to patients daily schedule

Discussion with physician, nurse, etc.

Assessing perceived susceptibility, severity, etc.

Home visits, sending emails, including patients in decisions

tailoring the education to the patient's level of understanding

self reports, pill counting, biochemical tests

They investigated whether incentives can impact whether parents get their children immunised

Prompts

Mailed general prompt

Mailed specific prompt

Mailed specific prompt with expanded hours/increased access

Mailed specific prompt with a monetary incentive

Sample

Children 5 years or younger who needed to get immunised for measles, polio, etc. in a medium sized city

Procedure

The impact of the prompts was measured over 12 weeks

Results

The monetary incentive group had the highest level of attendance for immunisations > increased access group > specific prompt group > general group

The specific prompt is the most cost effective since it is almost as effective as the monetary prompt, but with significantly reduced costs

They investigated using the funhaler as an incentive for young, asthmatic children to increase the levels of adherence

If the correct breathing technique is used, the child is rewarded by a fun whistle sound and a spinning toy

It does not interfere with the drug delivery but improves adherence by distracting the child from the drug delivery itself and reduced stress

Results show an increase in the parent’s ability to administer medication to their asthmatic children.