Patients' compliance: the problem and directions for psychological research

The problem of patients' noncompliance with prescribed medications is discussed, to include prevalence and suspected variables of influence. This article seeks to sensitize psychological researchers to the problem, cites research on nonspecific drug factors which could affect noncompliance, and suggests directions for needed research efforts. Variables suggested for study include perceptual qualities of medications and associated expectations and preferences. It is suggested that a psychological research perspective could broaden understanding of noncompliance and possibly lead to "engineering" of medications which could enhance compliance.