Medication adherence – following your doctor’s orders are vital to improving your health

Work together with your care team to achieve your health goals. 

Following instructions doesn’t mean following mindlessly. You’ve likely got questions about your condition, and your provider has the answers. Don’t be afraid to come to your appointment with a list of things you want to ask. It might help to write them down ahead of time, or you might consider bringing a trusted friend or family member with you to help too. Your concerns are valid, and open communication with your provider will help you work out a treatment plan that best suits your needs.

Once you’ve got a plan in place, stick to it. Did you know? Not following doctors’ orders as prescribed when talking about medications accounts for up to 50% of treatment failures, around 125,000 deaths, and up to 25% of hospitalizations each year in the United States.*  These numbers are shocking, and the detrimental outcomes are preventable.

Stay in touch.

Set realistic expectations about your progress. Ask your doctor how quickly you should notice results from a particular medication and what side effects to look out for. And if it doesn’t feel like it’s working the way you expected, don’t quit cold turkey. Call your doctor or nurse practitioner and let them know. They’ll work together with you to develop a new course of care.

Lastly, be sure to attend any follow-up appointments or follow through on lab work. This may prevent relapses of an illness or help you improve your quality of life when managing a chronic condition.

Looking for a physician? At ClareMedica Health Partners, it’s our mission to help our patients live happier, healthier lives.

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*USpharmacist.com