Physician–patient partnership — can it help increase adherence to the therapeutic recommendations in cardiovascular disease?

Position statement of the Polish Society of Hypertension and Working Group on Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy, Polish Cardiac Society endorsed by patient advocacy groups (1) We Patients Foundation, (2) The Institute for Patients’ Rights and Health Education, (3) The National Association of Patients with Heart and Vascular Conditions “EcoHeart/EcoSerce” Efforts to increase adherence to the therapeutic recommendations in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease include focuses on the improvement of communication between patients and physicians. Physicians need to promote patients’ education and combat disinformation available on the Internet. Use of the electronic methods (e.g., SMS reminders/prompts), elimination of economic barriers, and monitoring of adherence may be also of help. With relation to pharmacotherapy, simplification of drug regimens with wide use single-pill combinations (SPCs) may provide effective measure to substantially improve adherence. Only comprehensive efforts to improve adherence by building a partner patient-physician relationship, may contribute to an increase in persistence and lead to reduction of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the general population.