Medication-related non-adherence and symptom experiences in heart transplant patients

Medication-related non-adherence constitutes a significant problem in patients after solid organ transplantation in the long term. The prevalence of those experiencing difficulties with taking, timing and dosing is estimated to be 20% resulting in decreased organ and patient survival, and increased costs for the health care system. Symptom experiences are highly and directly related to (non)adherence. Thus, the identification of non-adherence in a neutral, non-judgemental way becomes essential for the initiation of effective strategies for improving adherence. Although an array of interventions has been evaluated for their ability to improve adherence, the recent evidence using randomized, controlled trials remains weak. Combined interventions using educational, cognitive, behavioural and psychological affective strategies have been proven to be successful in the long term.