Medication Adherence

Medication adherence in the United States remains suboptimal; medication nonadherence is a complex issue that requires patience, presence, and perspective. One strategy that has been helpful for improving adherence is a combination of psychotherapy and psychoeducation, that is client-centered and free from counselor-agenda. As clinicians, we are not here to coerce, manipulate, or otherwise unduly influence a client to take their medications. Counseling is a safe place to explore what the client is experiencing and thinking; clients’ needs a safe place to share concerns and explore options. Clients do not lose their rights to autonomy when they enter counseling and receive mental health/ substance use disorder diagnoses. Clinicians remain focused on the client’s initial presenting issues and concerns without inserting a counselor agenda and bias; treatment includes psychotherapy, intervention and education. Clients often are more likely to consider medications when they believe that they are deciding independently, without coercion, to make needed changes. Motivational interviewing (open-ended
questions, affirmations, reflections and summarizations) and empathy are very helpful for enhancing the client’s knowledge about medications, feelings of self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation, and medication adherence.

Medication adherence in the United States remains suboptimal; medication nonadherence is a complex issue that requires patience, presence, and perspective. One strategy that has been helpful for improving adherence is a combination of psychotherapy and psychoeducation, that is client-centered and free from counselor-agenda. As clinicians, we are not here to coerce, manipulate, or otherwise unduly influence a client to take their medications. Counseling is a safe place to explore what the client is experiencing and thinking; clients’ needs a safe place to share concerns and explore options. Clients do not lose their rights to autonomy when they enter counseling and receive mental health/ substance use disorder diagnoses. Clinicians remain focused on the client’s initial presenting issues and concerns without inserting a counselor agenda and bias; treatment includes psychotherapy, intervention and education. Clients often are more likely to consider medications when they believe that they are deciding independently, without coercion, to make needed changes. Motivational interviewing (open-ended
questions, affirmations, reflections and summarizations) and empathy are very helpful for enhancing the client’s knowledge about medications, feelings of self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation, and medication adherence.

 

Give a minimum of four (4) reasons why a client might engage in medication nonadherence. How would you want to be treated if you were in your client’s shoes skeptical about the use of medications for treatment of mental health and/or substance use disorders? What are counseling techniques that have the potential to decrease adherence? What are counseling techniques that have the potential to improve adherence? What are systemic barriers to medication adherence? Give at least one (1) cultural example where medication nonadherence is a factor that we might face. What is appropriate information for you to get from the prescriber that might help you when working with your client around medication adherence and nonadherence?