Table.

 Practical Considerations and Recommendations for Adherence

Focus on clinical outcomes

Initiate medications according to national guidelines

Keep the regimen simple: once‐/twice‐a‐day dosing

Re‐evaluate all uncontrolled blood pressures (BPs)

Communicate with patients about taking medications as directed

Encourage self‐monitoring of BP

Use technologies (eg, e‐mail) to monitor progress and maintenance of goal BP’s

Empower informed activated patients

Assess patient knowledge, skills, behaviors, confidence and barriers to adherence

Encourage problem‐solving and behavior change interventions

Urge the use of pill boxes for daily use

Help patients develop a system for refilling prescriptions

Implement a team approach

Implement a collaborative model based on a team approach

Apply office practice policies and procedures to improve BP control

Support self‐management and problem prevention

Advocate for health policy reform

Elevate medication adherence as a critical healthcare issue

Develop policies to support prevention and chronic illness management including self‐management

Structure/finance healthcare that stimulates behavioral aspects of care in communities

Seek regulatory changes to improve the use of home BP monitors