Chart 3.

Clinical strategy to improve adherence

Strategies to improve adherence
• Simplify dosage regimen	• Reduce the number of tablets and doses per day
• Reduce costs	• Lower cost drug
	• Generic drugs
	• Government subsidies and low-cost programs
• Proper communication	• Provide clear information about the benefits, possible adverse effects and duration of treatment
	• Assess without judging or criticizing the presence of poor adherence
	• Assess actively the presence of possible side effects (sexual dysfunction, cough, bleeding)
	• Avoid using technical terms and overloading the patient with a lot of information
• Behavioral strategies	• Incorporate the use of drugs to the patients' routine, suiting the dosage regimen to activities, meals and bedtime
	• Use tablet holders, electronic alarm devices, diaries, packages with calendars
	• Online support groups
	• Positive reinforcement (incentives, rewards)
	• Self-monitoring
	• Motivation counseling