Strengthening Patient Adherence with Remote Support
Medication non-adherence among patients with chronic conditions remains a critical issue. Providers play a pivotal role in closing this gap by combining behavioral strategies with tech-enabled monitoring. Here’s how to address the challenge effectively.
1. The Cost of Non-Adherence
- Approximately 50% of chronic patients fail to take medications as prescribed—costing the U.S. healthcare system $100–300 billion annually (CDC).
- Non-adherence contributes to 125,000 deaths each year (Dialog Health).
- Providers must adopt both behavioral and technological interventions to improve clinical outcomes.
2. Understand & Address Patient Barriers
Identify why patients skip doses:
- Unintentional barriers: Forgetting, misunderstanding, or complex schedules.
- Intentional barriers: Costs, side effect fears, or doubts about effectiveness.
Successful interventions consider these barriers and tailor solutions accordingly (CDC).
3. Behavioral Coaching for Sustained Habits
Providers should:
- Use motivational interviewing to explore concerns and build self-efficacy (JAMA).
- Help patients set realistic goals, build routines, and track progress.
- Introduce behavioral contracts and self-monitoring tools to reinforce accountability.
4. Leverage Digital RPM & PERS Tools
Integrate technology-enhanced monitoring into care plans:
- Medical Guardian’s MGEngage360 platform offers cellular-connected RPM devices (such as blood pressure cuffs, pulse oximeters, and weight scales) that require no WiFi or smartphone—removing common access barriers. The platform provides a secure app and provider dashboard for providers to communicate with patients via messaging or video, monitor vital signs, and receive adherence alerts as well as send useful reminders directly to patient devices.
- Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) with fall detection and 24/7 monitoring are also there to provide timely, appropriate help in case of emergencies related to missed doses, medication errors, or potential overdoses—while serving as key entry points for outreach and adherence support.
5. Support Through Team-Based Care
Use a multidisciplinary approach:
- Combine patient data with telephonic check-ins by nurses or wellness teams to reinforce medication use.
- Streamline medication reconciliation routines and adjust plans based on real-time patient feedback.
6. Optimize with Clinical Workflows
- Integrate patient data into EHR systems like Epic and Cerner for comprehensive care coordination.
- Automate alerts for missing readings or declining vitals to trigger timely outreach.
- Use analytics dashboards like Medical Guardian’s LifeStream portal to track adherence metrics, quality scores, gaps in care, and preventive measures like HEDIS or CAHPS.
How Medical Guardian Supports Providers
Medical Guardian’s healthcare solutions deliver a scalable, unified approach to adherence:
- Seamless integration: RPM devices send biometry and adherence alerts directly to provider portals—no extra tech burden for patients
- Continuous coverage: 24/7 PERS monitoring enables emergency response and outreach, bridging adherence gaps.
- Holistic engagement: MGEngage360’s wellness teams perform inbound/outbound care calls, addressing both clinical and social determinants of health.
- Streamlined workflows: EMR integration and program dashboards support clinical teams with actionable insights at a glance.
Your Blueprint: From Patient to Partner
| Step | Action |
| Assess | Identify adherence barriers and readiness for change |
| Educate | Use MI and SMART goals to build routines |
| Monitor | Deploy RPM + PERS for real-time oversight |
| Support | Structure periodic touchpoints and personalized care plans |
| Integrate | Stream data into EHR and trigger alerts |
| Evaluate | Track outcomes and adjust over time |
This model empowers providers and patients to work as partners, transforming adherence from a problem into a shared solution.
Get Started with Medical Guardian
Partner with Medical Guardian to elevate your clinical programs with:
- Connected RPM devices that are easy for patients and seamless for providers
- 24/7 emergency and wellness monitoring to reinforce adherence
- Clinical team support and data-driven insights via MGEngage360
Request a demo to explore how our integrated solutions can support your patients and enhance provider workflows. Reach out today to learn more!