Obéir ou adhérer ? L'observance thérapeutique en question

Compliance can be defined as the degree of conformity between a patient's behavior and his/her doctor's advice. Fifty per cent of the patients suffering from chronic diseases are considered to be poorly compliant. This phenomenon is difficult to assess and has major medical and economic consequences. To understand (non) compliance, we have to weigh up different contributing factors including biomedical, psychosocial and environmental issues. Taking these factors into account should allow the development of interventions aimed at improving medication adherence. However, poor compliance is also the consequence of a changing patient-physician relationship, in which medication regimen, formerly imposed, imply today a complete agreement from the patient.