Getting patients to stick with their treatment plans is one of healthcare’s biggest challenges. And it’s costing us dearly – both in dollars and human suffering.

Whether the patient is a varsity athlete working to improve their sleep and recovery outside the weight room, or a patient recovering from a stroke working to address their cholesterol or high blood pressure to prevent future complications, progress comes from daily changes of habits and routines that align with what’s important for your health. Getting patients to create change, build autonomy, and break free of the framing “because my doctor told me so” can be a difficult task for medical providers. 

The Real Numbers Behind the “I’ll Do It Later” Problem

Here’s what stops most healthcare providers in their tracks: roughly 50% of patients with chronic conditions take their medications in accordance with doctor’s recommendations.

This one example of the dissonance between the importance medical providers place on certain interventions, and the ability of the patient to carry it over at home. Whether they don’t follow recommendations because they don’t like the way it makes them feel or because they don’t see the value, something is getting lost in conversation. 

Why Traditional Adherence Strategies Keep Failing

The old “just do what I tell you” approach is dead. Here’s what research tells us about why patients don’t stick to their plans:

• Cost barriers and insurance issues
• Complex treatment schedules
• Lack of visible progress
• Misunderstanding of instructions
• Side effects concerns

What Classifies as Patient Success?

Here’s the kicker: studies show that most patients drop off entirely within 6-12 months after leaving the hospital with the recommendations from their medical providers. 

Breaking Down the Numbers

Think about it: if only half of patients take their medications correctly, and most quit within a year, we’re looking at a massive gap between what we recommend, and what actually happens in real life.

A Better Way Forward: The Three Pillars of Modern Adherence

• Pillar 1: Make it ridiculously simple
• Pillar 2: Build in accountability that works
• Pillar 3: Create visible wins early

The Action Plan That Actually Works

Instead of just telling patients what to do, we need to:

• Start with a Daily Health Audit to identify real barriers
• Create a cohesive plan with the patient that fit into real life
• Build in quick wins to maintain momentum
• Use technology to leverage patient outcomes

Putting It All Together: Your Next Steps

Ready to transform your approach to patient adherence? Start with our Patient Motivator Questionnaire: Take the questionnaire here

The patient has the answers. When it gets down to it, patient centered care puts the patient in the driver’s seat and gives you the opportunity to provide directions along the way. 

Take Action Today

Don’t let your patients become another statistic of stagnation. Download our Daily Health Audit template and start closing the adherence gap today.

References available upon request. Statistics sourced from NIH, AMA Ed Hub, and peer-reviewed studies.