Behavioural Techniques to Improve Adherence to Medical Advice

Adherence to medical advice is crucial for effective treatment and management of various health conditions. However, non-adherence is a pervasive issue with significant implications for individual and public health. Behavioural techniques, rooted in psychological principles, offer valuable strategies to enhance adherence. This essay will explore two such techniques: positive reinforcement and prompts, illustrating their efficacy in improving adherence to medical advice.

Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement, a core principle of operant conditioning, involves rewarding desired behaviours to increase their likelihood of recurrence. Watt et al. (2003) exemplified this in their study investigating the impact of a novel inhaler device, the Funhaler, on adherence to asthma medication in children. The Funhaler incorporates elements of play, featuring a whistle and spinner that activate upon correct inhalation technique. This design aims to transform the often-dreaded experience of medication administration into a rewarding activity.

The researchers found that children using the Funhaler demonstrated significantly higher adherence rates compared to those using conventional inhalers. This suggests that by associating medication use with positive reinforcement, in this case, the enjoyable features of the Funhaler, children were more likely to adhere to their prescribed regimen. This study highlights the potential of incorporating positive reinforcement strategies into medical devices and interventions to improve adherence, particularly among younger populations.

Prompts

Prompts serve as cues that trigger desired behaviours. Yokley and Glenwick (1984) investigated the effectiveness of various prompts in improving adherence to immunization schedules in children. They compared the impact of a mail prompt, which served as a reminder for upcoming vaccinations, to other interventions, including free clinic access, childcare provisions, monetary incentives (lottery entry), and telephone reminders.

Their findings revealed that the mail prompt, a relatively low-cost and easily implementable intervention, was as effective as the more resource-intensive interventions in encouraging parents to vaccinate their children on schedule. This suggests that timely reminders can significantly enhance adherence, likely by increasing awareness and reducing forgetfulness, which are common barriers to adherence.

Conclusion

Behavioural techniques, such as positive reinforcement and prompts, offer valuable tools for improving adherence to medical advice. By leveraging principles of learning and behaviour change, these techniques can motivate individuals to adopt and maintain healthy behaviours. The studies discussed exemplify the efficacy of these approaches in real-world settings. Incorporating such techniques into healthcare interventions holds significant promise for improving treatment outcomes and promoting public health.

**References** Watt, A., et al. (2003). The Funhaler: A new device for improving adherence to inhaled asthma medication in children. *Thorax*, 58(11), 958-962. Yokley, J. M., & Glenwick, D. (1984). Increasing utilization of childhood immunizations: A field study. *Journal of Applied Behavioral Analysis*, 17(3), 253–259.