The five E’s of Ensuring optimal adherence
Ensure follow-up
 See patients and their parents repeatedly
 Helps to build trust and partnership
Explore patient's views, beliefs and preferences
 Explore illness perceptions and medication beliefs
 Examine patient's context, views, and preferences
 Discuss potential barriers to adherence (see barriers to adherence box)
 Invite questions, comments, remarks
Express Empathy
 Positive, caring attitude
 Use active listening techniques
 Provide information tailored to patient's needs
Exercise shared decision making
 Aim for concordance (see definitions box)
 Take patient's views and preferences into account
 Agree on treatment and action plan with patient
Evaluate
 During follow-up visits: evaluate success of treatment
 Discuss adherence in non-judgmental fashion
 Offer help when needed to overcome barriers