SOME WAYS TO HELP PATIENT COMPLIANCE

Two practical approaches to improving patient compliance were tested at a neighbourhood health centre serving a low­

income population. During a 6-week period in July and August of 1974, patients placed on 10-day regimens of antimicrobial

agents received their prescriptions from the centre's pharmacy in 1 of 3 ways:

• 53 control patients were given their prescriptions with the usual verbal instructions from the pharmacist. • 45 patients received a 'clock reminder', which had a clock face printed on the prescription label with the

appropriate dosing times circled .. • 60 patients had 'sticker reminders'- bright red labels, with instructions for use, to be stuck on the patient's

refrigerator or some other convenient, noticeable spot.

Compliance (consumption of 7fffo or more of the prescribed drugs) was determined by home visits made on the ninth or tenth day of treatment.

• 28% of the control group was judged to be compliant, while 53% of the 'clock' group and 60% of the 'sticker' groups had followed instructions to a reasonable degree.

The improvement in compliance with these reminder devices was most noticeable for the paediatric patient group. It could well be that overall compliance was enhanced in the 2 'reminder' groups as a result of the extra time and attention the

pharmacist spent in explaining the device.

Lima, J. et al.: Pediatrics 57: 383 (Mar 1976)