By: Steven Reznick MD
In most patient – physician visits I have seen in my 30 plus years of practice the physician identifies a problem and tries to explain it to the patient in lay terms. The physician then outlines the...
View ArticleBy: Emily Gibson
I document that a patient “chooses to defer my recommendation” –it is not a judgment on my part about “compliance” but rather my documentation that the patient has made a choice about his/her treatment...
View ArticleBy: WarmSocks
I think there’s more than one issue here. You’re looking at whether or not patients follow-through on your recommendations after they’ve said in the office that they’re going to.I’m looking at what’s...
View ArticleBy: Diora
if a patient is not compliant (there’s that word again) with treatment, then why does he/she even come to the appointments in the first place? I know one of the answers probably lies with different...
View ArticleBy: Kevin
I like using “elect” instead, as it–to me, at least–seems very neutral. I also use “forgo” a lot, in lieu of “refuses.”E.g. “The patient has elected to forgo treatment at this time.”That way, if...
View ArticleBy: Carolyn Thomas
Statins are an excellent example, Diora, of why patients may be reluctant to “comply”. Statins are the true darlings of the pharmaceutical industry, especially for “primary prevention”.But a recent...
View ArticleBy: Jackie
I have a high deductable AND I am a seasonal construction worker. I don’t go to a Dr. unless absolutely necessary. Here’s the problem with “patient compliance.” (loathesome term) My NP says I have high...
View ArticleBy: Steven Reznick MD
The medical practitioner is advising based on the information he/she needs to control your blood pressure. If you show a pattern of control they will space out your visits. There are multiple options...
View ArticleBy: anonymous
I have seen the “noncompliance” code on the superbills my old group used. I have checked it a few times thinking that it gives the insurer justification for a longer appointment (i.e. 99214 for...
View ArticleBy: anonymous
Diora, if you were my patient, I would NOT have labeled you noncompliant (or whatever word you want to use). You had a legitimate and logical reason not to take statins and you said so upfront. The...
View ArticleBy: Kevin
As a psychiatrist, I’ve had my share of practice with documentation of treatment compliance. Being a military psychiatrist, I do a lot of clinical writing that is read by those outside our profession,...
View ArticleBy: Kevin
As far as what we’re addressing. I think some of it is medico-legal, i.e. that the treatment alternatives were explained, that he/she understood, and if treatments are refused (explicitly via outright...
View ArticleBy: WarmSocks
I’m curious, what verb would you apply to a person who, having made a plan and agreed to follow it, then doesn’t follow it? I appreciate that adhere, comply, are verbs that can be “hot buttons”. It...
View ArticleBy: WarmSocks
I’m not a big fan of political correctness. In patients’ charts, it’s probably important to document when they say that they’re not taking medication as prescribed. Go ahead and use a medical term when...
View ArticleBy: WarmSocks
“patient has elected to not take medications as prescribed for xzy reason,” In charting, that could work, although I, personally, wouldn’t want to write/type all that out when one word would suffice....
View ArticleBy: Docasaurus
I understand your post and agree with it. Coming to a “common ground” is something that is taught in many medical schools these days and I would hope that all (most?) of the current graduates will...
View ArticleBy: aek
This is a terrific post. Two things come to mind: I find the veterinarian/client relationship serves as a beneficial model of health management partnership. The vet succinctly addresses the options for...
View ArticleBy: elmo
Honestly, this is little more than wordsmithing. If you want to give me a more “politically correct” term for not taking ones meds as prescribed or following treatment recommendations I will use it....
View ArticleBy: Kevin
I agree with above posters. If non-compliant, non-adherent, etc. are too pejorative, please tell me the politically-correct term and I’ll use it. Perhaps we should just describe the behaviors w/o...
View ArticleBy: aek
In reply to Kevin. Thought-provoking comment, Kevin. What is it we are evaluating? Patient self-efficacy? Self health management? I like the notion of simply describing the patient’s actions w/...
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