The National Consumer League's ''Script Your Future'' campaign is gaining steam in its efforts to combat patient noncompliance.
It’s no secret that patient noncompliance is the Achilles’ heel of many a physician. In the old days, when it was customary for doctors to make house calls or follow up with their patients by phone, it was simpler to stay on top of medication adherence.
Nowadays, with the nation’s tremendous advancements in medical discoveries and treatments, physicians are stretched further than ever before. It’s an evolution that has created a paradoxical effect: doctors are now more susceptible to losing sight of their individual patient’s medication concerns or fears, resulting in a rise in patient noncompliance.
From a managed care perspective, the potential risk for compromised care and unnecessary costs are of huge concern—to the tune of $290 billion a year in additional treatment and costs, according to research studies.
In an effort to combat medication nonadherence, the National Consumers League (NCL) last spring launched a 3-year campaign called “Script Your Future.” (http://scriptyourfuture.org/wp-content/themes/cons/m/SYF_PressRelease_FINAL.pdf). The project, which includes partnerships from all facets of the healthcare industry, aims to encourage patients to stay the course with their medications through plentiful resources and sobering statistics (ie, one-third of medicine-related hospitalizations stem from noncompliance; 125,000 people die every year for the same reason). According to an Associated Press article published January 3 in the Chicago Tribune (http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-ap-us-money--health-taking-your-meds,0,243122,full.story), the NCL campaign so far has had more than 100,000 people commit to following their medication treatment plan.
The bottom line is that the responsibility for medication adherence rests squarely on the shoulders of both physicians and patients. This is where technology can be employed to benefit both parties, through the use of communication devices such as apps, patient portals and electronic reminders. Of course, this is not an option for patients who are noncompliant because of limited financial resources or lack of insurance. For these patients and those with other concerns, such as fear of side effects, the most cost-effective solution appears to be a one-on-one conversation that can be achieved in-person or perhaps through telemonitoring.
The days of house calls are clearly over, but communication is a health tool that will last forever in some shape or form. And one would be hard-pressed to put a high price on that.
Standard Criteria for Loss of Ambulation Needed in DMD
April 19th 2024A recent study suggests the differences between ambulation definitions for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) can impact the identification of ambulant vs nonambulant individuals, and standard criteria across settings are needed.
Read More
Overcoming Employment Barriers for Lasting Social Impact: Freedom House 2.0 and Pathways to Work
April 16th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our second episode, in which we learn all about Freedom House 2.0 and the Pathways to Work program.
Listen
Early Involvement Critical in Treating Immunotherapy-Induced Overlap Syndrome
April 19th 2024A series of case studies reveals the importance of early diagnosis and involvement of special teams of clinicians when dealing with potential cases of overlap syndrome, which encompasses myocarditis, myasthenia gravis, and immune checkpoint inhibitor–related myositis.
Read More
Making Giant Strides in Maternity Health Through Baby Steps
April 9th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are kicking off a special month-long podcast series with our strategic alliance partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our first episode, which is all about the Baby Steps Maternity Program and its mission to support women throughout every step of their pregnancy journey.
Listen