FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE TREATMENT ADHERENCE – REALITIES, CONTROVERSIES, PERSPECTIVES

The extent to which a person's behavior is in agreement with his healthcare professional's recommendations - also known as adherence - is a pre-requisite for therapeutic success. Patient questionnaires and scales are a popular form of adherence measurement in practice due to their low cost, simplicity, and real-time feedback. The current study was performed in a community pharmacy and aims to identify disorders associated with low levels of adherence as well as influencing factors. It included patients who accepted to participate and answered a 15-point questionnaire. The majority of respondents were female (65.57%), 51 - 60 years old (21.3%). Respondents' education and studies range from primary school to higher education. Most of them were retired geriatric patients (22%), followed by public servants (18%), as well as other categories such as housewives (12%). The most prevalent pathology was cardiovascular disease, followed by inflammatory, digestive, and thyroid disorders. 57% of respondents stated that they were advised by a physician concerning the severity of their disorders, while 18% said they were informed by both the pharmacist and the physician. 50% of respondents had a smartphone. The complex nature of adherence requires a multidimensional approach for it to be improved. Patients must be informed regarding their treatment and pathology while also having a trust-based relationship with their healthcare professional.