The problem of adherence to treatment from the standpoint of the sociology of medicine

Abstract

Objective: to substantiate adherence to treatment as a form of social responsibility of citizens from the standpoint of the sociology of patients. Material and methods. The work uses the principles and methods of the sociology of medicine. A sociological survey of a representative sample of medical care consumers (880 people) on adherence to treatment was conducted, and a model of compliance ratio as a model for subsequent drug therapy was substantiated. Results and discussion. The performed survey has shown that every second patient learns about their rights from the mass media. Men are significantly less likely than women to follow medical prescriptions (p < 0.01). Women are significantly more likely to trust the doctor's opinion about treatment, if they disagree, they are more likely to turn to another specialist, while men are significantly more likely to simply refuse treatment and other recommendations from the attending doctor. The respondents called their own laziness and / or aversion to taking medications as the main reason for non-compliance with treatment. Conclusion. Low social responsibility of patients for compliance with the doctor's recommendations has been found. The concept «adherence to treatment» has been introduced into the problem field of the sociology of medicine.