Should we pay the patient? Review of financial incentives to enhance patient compliance.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether financial incentives increase patients' compliance with healthcare treatments.


METHODS
Systematic literature review of computer databases--Medline, Embase, PsychLit, EconLit, and the Cochrane Database of Clinical Trials. In addition, the reference list of each retrieved article was reviewed and relevant citations retrieved.


METHODS
Only randomised trials with quantitative data concerning the effect, of financial incentives (cash, vouchers, lottery tickets, or gifts) on compliance with medication, medical advice, or medical appointments were included in the review. Eleven papers were identified as meeting the selection criteria.


METHODS
Data on study populations, interventions, and outcomes were extracted and analysed using odds ratios and the number of patients needed to be treated to improve compliance by one patient.


RESULTS
10 of the 11 studies showed improvements in patient compliance with the use of financial incentives.


CONCLUSIONS
Financial incentives can improve patient compliance.
Giuffrida
A
A
National Primary Care Research and Development Centre, University of York. agia@York.ac.uk
Torgerson
D J
DJ
D004467:Economics; D036262:Empirical Research; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012201:Reward