Compliance and Cognitive Function: A Methodological Approach to Measuring Unintentional Errors in Medication Compliance in the Elderly

This study describes the development of a method for assessing the relationship between cognitive function, comprehension, and compliance with medication. We assessed multiple aspects of cognitive performance, medication planning ability, and medication compliance in a convenience sample of 20 outpa...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Gerontologist 1993-12, Vol.33 (6), p.772-781
Main Authors: Isaac, Lisa M., Tamblyn, Robyn M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavior
Cognition & reasoning
Cognitive Ability
Cognitive function
Compliance
Compliance (Medical)
Comprehension
Drug Therapy
Medication adherence
Older Adults
Older people
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This study describes the development of a method for assessing the relationship between cognitive function, comprehension, and compliance with medication. We assessed multiple aspects of cognitive performance, medication planning ability, and medication compliance in a convenience sample of 20 outpatients. Using a test battery that measured mental status, attention/concentration, memory function, and motor strength and dexterity, we found that: (1) standard mental status assessment was poorly correlated with memory function; (2) attention/concentration and memory were related to medication planning accuracy; (3) motor dexterity and strength were related to the ability to access medications; and (4) visual perception and memory were the skills most strongly correlated with medication compliance. Findings suggest that aspects of attention/concentration, visual and verbal memory, and motor function which are untapped by simple mental status assessment are related to medication access, planning, and compliance in elderly patients.
ISSN:0016-9013
1758-5341
DOI:10.1093/geront/33.6.772