title: Systematic Review of Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Improvement of Medication Adherence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Poor adherence to medications is a significant problem that leads to increased morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Recommended approaches to address medication adherence vary, and existing practice guidelines are unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This review evaluated clinical practice guidelines designed to help health care providers address patients' medication adherence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multiple search methods were used to identify national or international guidelines addressing medication adherence. We included guidelines published in English, as well as guidelines with an English-language summary or translation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified 23 guidelines of varying detail and quality. Recommendations were categorized as assessment strategies (n = 20 guidelines); educational strategies (n = 18); behavioral strategies (n = 17); therapeutic relationship, communication, and provider factors (n = 19); and addressing outside influences/co-morbidities (n = 10).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future guidelines should be more clearly guided by research findings and comparative effectiveness methods. When implemented, guidelines will facilitate health care providers and health systems in supporting optimal adherence and improved health outcomes.
authors: University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. RupparT@missouri.edu.
authors: Todd M
authors: TM
authors: Ruppar
authors: University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium.
authors: Fabienne
authors: F
authors: Dobbels
authors: Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
authors: Pawel
authors: P
authors: Lewek
authors: Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
authors: Michal
authors: M
authors: Matyjaszczyk
authors: Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors: Kaat
authors: K
authors: Siebens
authors: University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium.|University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors: Sabina M
authors: SM
authors: De Geest
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence; D010346:Patient Care Management / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D058996:Quality Improvement
keywords: Evidence-based practice; Guidelines; Medication adherence; Systematic review