Chronic illness and compliance.

For a person with a chronic illness, life is altered in some way. Whether simple or complex, changes are nevertheless permanent. A patient with a chronic disease assesses recommended treatments on how well they can be integrated into his life. Evidence suggests that an individual's perception of his situation will determine whether or not he will comply with a medical regimen. Health professionals neglect the patient's point of view if they believe that patients regard the health professional as an absolute authority, thereby contributing to noncompliance. The contingency contract provides a model of patient-provider transaction, which requires input from both parties. The health professional can work with the person to make the medical regimen compatible with the individual's lifestyle.