New Study Finds Better Doctor-Patient Relationships Leads to Better Medication Adherence

A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine finds that physicians can improve medication adherence by cultivating better relationships with patients. Researchers looked at 9,377 patients taking medications to lower their blood sugar, blood pressure, or cholesterol. Adherence was determined by measuring delays in refilling prescriptions. Patients who felt their doctors listened to them, had involved them in decisions and gained their trust followed doctors' orders more often and took their drugs as prescribed. Patients who gave their doctors poor marks in communicating were less likely to adhere to their medications. The study's authors note that future studies should investigate whether improving communication skills among clinicians with poorer patient communication ratings could improve their patients' cardiometabolic medication refill adherence and outcomes. This study indicates there is a strong motivation for employers as payers to take an active role in improving the doctor-patient relationship because such improvements have the potential for long-term cost savings through better medication - and potentially other treatment - adherence.