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Improve
your Compliance
There are
a number of ways in which you can improve
compliance with your treatment plan. A few
practical strategies are described below.
Build
a collaborative relationship with your health
care professional
The relationships
that you have with your doctor, pharmacist,
nurse, etc. can play an important role in
your willingness to comply with your treatment
plan. To get the most from these relationships,
you should:
- ensure
that you have a trusting relationship
with your health care professional in
which your concerns are heard and addressed
openly.
- Be
an active participant in making decisions
about your health and in designing and
implementing a treatment plan best suited
to your resources and lifestyle.
- Consult
regularly with your health care professional
regarding the status and progress of your
treatment plan.
Obtain
the right information
It is important
to ask the right questions regarding your
treatment plan. This should be:
- The specific
behaviors or activities your treatment
program requires
- How and
when to perform these behaviors or activities
- What to
do if a problem arises
Ask about
particular aspects of your medications such
as: the number of tablets required, when
they should be taken, the appropriate dosage,
and duration of the treatment. Find out
what to do if you miss a dose, as well as
which drugs, foods, or conditions may interact
with your medications. By having the instructions
about your medications clearly explained
to you, you will maximize your ability to
adhere to and benefit from your treatment
plan. You may also want to ask your health
care professional to write instructions
down for you or to repeat them to a family
member who can assist you in following them.
Reduce
forgetfulness
Here are
some useful tips to help you remember to
take your medications.
- Use a
small pocket timer or wrist watch with
an alarm
- Keep your
medications in highly visible locations
(but safely out of children's reach)
- Post a
drug reminder chart beside your medications
- Stick
reminders on the refrigerator door or
the medicine cabinet
- Schedule
medication taking with other routine activities
such as eating breakfast or getting ready
for bed
- Organize
the week's medications into a calendar
pill box for convenient daily dosing
- Ask a
family member or friend to remind you
Set
goals
With the
guidance of your doctor, set specific, realistic,
and achievable goals in your treatment plan.
Schedule appointments with your doctor to
monitor your progress.
Involve
your family and friends
Third party
support can be a valuable resource to draw
on when it comes to managing your treatment
plan. It may be appropriate to involve significant
others such as your spouse, family members,
or friends to help you manage your medication
schedule and to provide encouragement and
give positive reinforcement. In addition
to including others in your own treatment
plan, you may want to volunteer your support
to help a fellow patient with compliance.
A
final note:
Remember
that while it is important for you to be
actively involved in the planning and implementation
of your treatment, it is even more important
that you do not change your treatment plan
without first consulting your doctor or
other health care professionals.
The fruits
of your labor should be yours to enjoy.
Your doctor's treatment plan could save
your life!
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