title: Asthma adherence management for the clinician.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nonadherence to asthma treatment has been related to increased hospital and emergency care, morbidity, and unnecessary costs. Improving patient adherence is a key component to achieving optimal outcomes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Review barriers, interventions, and communication skills shown to be effective in promoting asthma adherence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Asthma adherence literature was reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sequential management principles to achieve adherence include the following: (1) measuring adherence, (2) identifying barriers that result in nonadherence, (3) using specific strategies to overcome barriers; and (4) using communication skills to enhance the delivery of selected strategies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Careful attention to adherence management principles may increase adherence, enhance outcomes, and reduce unnecessary morbidity and cost. The case described applies these principles and gives the reader a framework to review.
authors.affiliation: Thomas Jefferson Medical College, Wilmington, Del. Electronic address: agwmd@aol.com.
authors.forename: Andrew G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Weinstein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003142:Communication; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence
keywords: Adherence; Adult/child asthma; Barriers; Health beliefs; Outcomes; Patient-centered communication