Optimizing long-term patient compliance.

The key elements for enhancing patient compliance when prescribing are selecting the fewest number of daily doses (taking patient's other medications into consideration), scheduling when doses are to be taken, and helping the patient select an appropriate reminder or "cue." Developing reminder cues, such as clock time, meal time, or bathroom ritual, requires only a few minutes of careful planning to mesh with the patient's lifestyle. If one type of cue is not successful, another or combinations of cues are tried over time. Asking patients about their cues at each visit not only helps patients develop personalized cuing systems, but also reminds them that their physician has a consistent interest in the way they take their medication. Unfortunately, no single specific strategy will enhance compliance in all patients. Physicians have the greatest influence on medication compliance when they provide specific suggestions that fit into the patient's lifestyle.