Compliance: a problem in medical management

The prevalence of noncompliance is underestimated and the role of the physician in promoting and inhibiting complicance is not often recognized. Physicians accept the need for patient education but do not accept responsibility for the patient's compliance. The disease denial/rationalization syndrome is a useful label for emotional resistance to the treatment program. An important factor is the extent to which the physician seeks to ascertain compliance. Compliance-gaining strategies must be applied with tact and flexibility.