Compliance: a concept analysis.

Compliance can be defined in many ways. The meaning of the concept is directly dependent upon the discipline and the context in which it is used. Lacking a gold standard for its measurement, a clear definition for the concept of compliance in nursing and other health-related professions should be explored. This article explores the definitions of the concept as it relates to various disciplines, and examines its true meaning as it relates to the nursing profession. Nurses are encouraged to take a patient-centered approach to patient care, thereby forming alliances and empowering patients and family members to take an active role in their health care.