Promoting adolescents' compliance with therapeutic regimens

Noncompliance in the adolescent is a difficult problem that can be prevented or improved. It is best identified early by nonjudgmental questioning about current or previous regimen behavior. An appreciation of the relevant psychological and social issues can suggest to the clinician which adolescents are at high risk for noncompliance. Intervention techniques based on educational and psychological principles can be successfully applied by the physician to improve compliance and can improve the teenager's sense of mastery. Personal characteristics of the physician, however, may determine whether he or she can work productively with the noncompliant adolescent.