Table 4.

Suggestions for interventions by adherence category

Components of adherenceStrategies for addressing nonadherence
IntentionalUnintentional
Initiation Decides not to start • Open provider-patient discussions about potential adverse effects of hydroxyurea, history, efficacy, and pros and cons compared with other treatments, including discussions about the potential effects of having untreated SCD. • Educate non-hematologists about hydroxyurea indications for SCD. 
• Have informal Q & A sessions with peers who are currently taking hydroxyurea. • Open provider-caregiver discussions about hydroxyurea’s benefits, risks, and limitations and how these will be monitored while receiving treatment. 
• Explore personal concerns and beliefs to help alleviate general aversion or fear of medication. • For pediatric patients whose caregivers are considering hydroxyurea, hold informal Q & A sessions with other caregivers who opted to have their child take hydroxyurea. 
• Respect the final decision of the individual and be open to future discussions.  
Implementation Adherence while taking • Involve patient in reviewing laboratory results and changes to results as they start taking hydroxyurea. • Provide tools to help prompt individuals when to take their medication (eg, phone app, incorporation into daily routine). 
• Continue open and ongoing provider-patient conversations about concerns, worries, or perceived effects resulting from taking hydroxyurea. • Open provider-patient/caregiver discussions about adherence challenges and potential strategies to addressing barriers. Use strength- based approaches to build on patient’s strengths to overcome adherence challenges. 
• Collaborate with patients to identify ways to address barriers as they arise; use strength-based approaches to build on patient’s strengths to overcome adherence challenges. • Continue routine discussions about any experienced adverse effects or concerns about the impact of taking hydroxyurea on the patient. 
• Acknowledge and respect the challenges in maintaining a daily medication regimen.  
Discontinuation Decision to discontinue taking • Have open discussion with patient/caregiver on factors leading to this decision. • Have open discussion with patients and caregivers on factors leading to this decision and what it means for future opportunities and treatment modalities. 
• Provide options for patients to continue hydroxyurea in the future.  
• Respect the final decision of the individual and be open to future discussions.  
Components of adherenceStrategies for addressing nonadherence
IntentionalUnintentional
Initiation Decides not to start • Open provider-patient discussions about potential adverse effects of hydroxyurea, history, efficacy, and pros and cons compared with other treatments, including discussions about the potential effects of having untreated SCD. • Educate non-hematologists about hydroxyurea indications for SCD. 
• Have informal Q & A sessions with peers who are currently taking hydroxyurea. • Open provider-caregiver discussions about hydroxyurea’s benefits, risks, and limitations and how these will be monitored while receiving treatment. 
• Explore personal concerns and beliefs to help alleviate general aversion or fear of medication. • For pediatric patients whose caregivers are considering hydroxyurea, hold informal Q & A sessions with other caregivers who opted to have their child take hydroxyurea. 
• Respect the final decision of the individual and be open to future discussions.  
Implementation Adherence while taking • Involve patient in reviewing laboratory results and changes to results as they start taking hydroxyurea. • Provide tools to help prompt individuals when to take their medication (eg, phone app, incorporation into daily routine). 
• Continue open and ongoing provider-patient conversations about concerns, worries, or perceived effects resulting from taking hydroxyurea. • Open provider-patient/caregiver discussions about adherence challenges and potential strategies to addressing barriers. Use strength- based approaches to build on patient’s strengths to overcome adherence challenges. 
• Collaborate with patients to identify ways to address barriers as they arise; use strength-based approaches to build on patient’s strengths to overcome adherence challenges. • Continue routine discussions about any experienced adverse effects or concerns about the impact of taking hydroxyurea on the patient. 
• Acknowledge and respect the challenges in maintaining a daily medication regimen.  
Discontinuation Decision to discontinue taking • Have open discussion with patient/caregiver on factors leading to this decision. • Have open discussion with patients and caregivers on factors leading to this decision and what it means for future opportunities and treatment modalities. 
• Provide options for patients to continue hydroxyurea in the future.  
• Respect the final decision of the individual and be open to future discussions.  

or Create an Account

Close Modal
Close Modal