psychology

psychology


About 50% of all people do not take their medication as instructed. There are a number of reasons why people may not adhere to medical advice.

The main reason why people don’t adhere to medial regimes is due to the cost/benefit model, if people believe the costs to be higher than the benefits of taking their medication then they won’t. One reason why people might not adhere to medical regimes is the possible side effects, for example if a particular medication gives you headaches and vomiting then you are less like to adhere to the medical advice because the cost of taking the medication outweighs the benefits. Another reason why people may not adhere to medical regimes is that it may affect their schedule. If you have a busy schedule then taking medication at specific times may cause a problem, especially if the method of medication isn’t simple and easily concealed, which as syringes, which is linked to the main problem of the cost/benefit model. This can be backed up with Bulpitt’s study on reviewing research on hypertensive male patients. Bulpitt found that Anti-hypertensive drugs have many side effects, which led him to conclude that when the cost of taking medication outweighs the benefits of treating a condition that has no symptoms such as hypertension; patients are less likely to adhere to medical regimes.

Overall the cost/ benefit model is the main reason why people may not adhere to medical regimes. The cost can include side effects, method of medication and busy schedules, which all outweigh the benefit of getting better.

















There are a number of problems that psychologists might face then trying to improve medical regimes; such as peer pressure, side effects, improvement in symptoms and individual differences.

Peer pressure and image are one of the problems psychologists face when trying to improve adherence to medical regimes as people, especially children will refuse to take their medication if they...

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