Despite its direct effect on a patient's health, the literature on treatment adherence does not yet include a summary of proven methods for identifying and addressing patient non-adherence. Improving Patient Treatment Adherence Across Multiple Behaviors: A Clinician's Guide differs significantly from many treatment adherence books on the market by focusing on clinicians and the practical tactics they need to improve patient adherence. The book is orgnaized by behavior and special issues as opposed to other texts, which look at treatment adherence as a theoretical concept. Each chapter provides a summary of existing literature regarding the impact of patient non-adherence, including costs, clinical outcomes and health-related quality of life, as well as a review of patient factors related to treatment adherence across behaviors, diseases, and special populations. A discussion of methods for improving treatment adherence takes a look at both proven methods and new technological advances in the field. Each chapter includes a table listing 3-5 key bullets that a clinician could use to address treatment adherence. Actual questions and scoring algorithms for widely used measures of treatment adherence make this book a useful guide for practicing clinicans.

Virtually all medical and behavioral health treatments require at least some degree of patient adherence to succeed. Despite the relationship between health behaviors and outcomes, little attention is paid to developing proven methods for identifying and addressing patient non-adherence. Improving Patient Treatment Adherence: A Clinician's Guide offers new and updated information on the subject by focusing on practical tactics for clinicians that can improve patient adherence to a wide variety of treatments. This book is organized by behaviors-looking at topics that range from dietary adherence and smoking cessation to chronic pain, HIV and substance abuse-and examines the impact of patient non-adherence, including costs, clinical outcomes, and health-related quality of life. Helpful tables, questions, and scoring algorithms make this book a useful guide for any practicing physician.

From the reviews:

"This book examines the impact of patient nonadherence with preventive measures on costs, clinical outcomes, and health-related quality of life. It also explores evidence-based strategies to improve patient adherence. ? The target audience includes primary care practitioners, residents, students, and any healthcare professionals involved in primary prevention. ? Each chapter concisely summarizes current literature and provides helpful, practical, clinical tips. ? Anyone involved or interested in the growing field of preventive medicine also would find it a valuable resource." (Heather Huang, Doody's Review Service, August, 2010)