Introduction
Adherence is a key concept in nursing practice and impacts the care of patients throughout the healthcare system. Only 50% of patients, in developing countries, suffering from chronic diseases adhere to r
...
Introduction
Adherence is a key concept in nursing practice and impacts the care of patients throughout the healthcare system. Only 50% of patients, in developing countries, suffering from chronic diseases adhere to recommended treatment regimens (Sabate, 2003). Poor adherence can lead to suboptimal effectiveness of treatment regimens, threats to patient safety, and increasing healthcare costs for disease management. The importance of the concept of adherence has been widely studied and reported in healthcare literature. However, there is a lack of clarity in the definition and use of the term in the literature. The National Council on Patient Information and Education (2007) outlines several common terms utilized in the literature to describe the self- administration of treatment regimens by patients in response to provider recommendations. Compliance, adherence, and concordance are often used interchangeably in the literature and in practice.
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the concept of adherence using Walker and Avant’s method of concept analysis. This paper will also provide examples of the utilization of the concept in the literature and present a subsequent discussion of adherence and the related terms.
Concept definition
Definitions of adherence found in the literature include such variations. According to the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary adherence is “when someone obeys a set of rules or principles” (Walter, 2004, p.10). The definition of adherence in Webster’s II New College Dictionary is "the act, action or quality of adhering, steady
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