Patient Non-Compliance: A Barrier to Successful Outcomes in Medicine and Healthcare Service

Abstract

This is a research-based perspective article into patient non-compliance within the domains of medicine, physical rehabilitation, and exercise/strength and conditioning. The article identifies major pillars behind patient non-compliance: age, education, motivation, and trust as being the most influential variables that affects the amount of compliance a patient has with medical/exercise and therapeutic treatments. The article summarizes research that has identified theses variables and gives pragmatic options to help reduce the occurrence of ongoing patient non-compliance. Communication, patient compliance, motivational interviewing, virtual information gathering and barrier identity are all techniques discussed to overcome patient non-compliance. There are pragmatic tips for medical providers, therapists and trainers to assist in the management of non-compliance in their patients and clients in all aspects of practice in an evidence-based approach.