L'adhesion therapeutique du patient age ambutatoire: quels determinants et quet soutien? [Drug compliance in the elderly: determinants and support]

Drug adherence needs to be promoted in elderly patients taking multiple medications. Barriers to adherence are numerous and each barrier needs to be addressed specifically. Patients should be included in the therapeutic decision making process. Patient's life expectations and disease/treatment beliefs should be addressed. Healthcare practitioners should discuss the course of treatment with the patient proactively before any problem arises by using open-ended and informative questions. Functional and organizational barriers to adherence should be assessed throughout the treatment. A multidisciplinary approach to promote adherence is crucial and allows healthcare practitioners to combine specific skills (physician, pharmacist, nurse, etc.)