What can lead to secondary non-adherence in patients?

Secondary non-adherence occurs when patients do not follow their medication regimen for reasons other than the initial prescribing decision. Insurance issues can create barriers to accessing medications, leading to interruptions in therapy. For instance, patients may struggle with high copays or find that their insurance does not cover specific medications, prompting them to skip doses or change medications.

Misunderstanding dosage instructions also significantly contributes to secondary non-adherence. If a patient does not fully comprehend how and when to take their medications, this confusion can result in missed doses, incorrect dosages, or a lack of timely refills, all of which undermine the effectiveness of treatment.

In contrast, not visiting a doctor does not directly relate to the adherence of prescribed medication since it focuses on the absence of medical consultation rather than the execution of the treatment plan. Similarly, consistently refilling prescriptions and taking medications correctly would reflect positive adherence behaviors rather than contribute to secondary non-adherence. Thus, the multifactorial nature of barriers such as insurance issues and misunderstandings around medication instructions plays a crucial role in secondary non-adherence.