Physician behaviour and compliance.

Abstract

Four major components are involved in physician behaviour that may impact on patient compliance with treatment regimens: compassion, communication, activating patient self-motivation and shared responsibility with the patient. An attitude of concern coupled with hope and interest in the patient's future well-being effect compliance. Other facets of compliance may be outside the physician's control: factors within the patient or within the environment and factors intrinsic to hypertension in itself suggest that physician behaviour is the factor most easily controlled by the physician to enhance compliance.