Patient compliance among family practice patients

To document patient compliance and perceptions among family practice patients.

A questionnaire-based survey of a convenience sample.

Family Practice Center of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, between October 2003 and January 2004.

Family practice patients were interviewed without systematic randomization. A questionnaire including data on demographic profile of the patient and compliance, was administered by the study investigators. Ethical requirement including the administration of written informed consent and confidentiality were ensured. SPSS computer software was used for data management.

A total of 119 patients were interviewed, of which 86 (72%) were females. The mean age was 34.6 years. Thirty two (27%) of the respondents had graduate education. Forty three (36.1%) respondents had the last physician's visit within the previous two weeks. Recommendations made at the previous physician's visit were followed in 170 (79.8%) cases. Desire to get better was reported by 172 (79.6%) respondents, as a reason for compliance. In patient's view, being polite, friendly and kind to the patient and explaining treatment to the patient, could improve patient compliance.

There is a need to have a broad based approach to improve patient compliance including patient education, following principles of good clinical practice and giving due consideration to financial costs. We recommend further research and debate on the important issue of patient compliance.