Compliance in medication administration post-hospitalization

Abstract

Compliance in medication-taking post-hospitalisation plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the patient's quality of life is safeguarded. Non-compliance in medication-taking poses several consequences not only on to the patient but also on the health care system. Medication non-compliance in patients leads to unnecessary hospital admissions, premature need for a residential placement, increased health care resources, poor quality of life and mortality. Compliance in medication-taking is extremely complex and it is affected by a variety of interrelated factors such as patient, health care provider and health care system factors. Looking at the patient and the caregivers, as the main protagonists, as well as, addressing their needs and concerns within an inter-professional team practice, is essential to improve medication compliance. Health care professionals have a significant role in improving patients' compliance in medication-taking post hospitalization.