Nonadherenceare is used to describe nonadherence as a systemic, multi-level phenomenon rather than a single patient behavior. It emphasizes interactions among patient factors, treatment characteristics, provider communication, and health-system constraints that collectively influence whether a regimen is followed.
The coinage appears principally in niche, interdisciplinary contexts aiming to analyze how gaps in adherence arise from cumulative factors. Because it lacks standardization, implementations of the concept differ, and it is not part of formal guidelines or consensus statements.
Patterns associated with nonadherenceare include partial adherence, delayed initiation, intermittent adherence, and discontinuation across different components of a treatment plan. The concept recognizes both intentional and unintentional elements and highlights the role of external determinants such as access, social support, and health literacy alongside individual preferences.
Standard adherence measures—pharmacy refill data, electronic monitoring, pill counts, and self-report—can be used to identify adherence gaps within the nonadherenceare framework. Researchers emphasize assessing systemic contributors, such as communication quality, complexity of regimens, and care coordination, in addition to patient-centered factors.
Acknowledging nonadherenceare can shift focus toward comprehensive interventions that address patient, provider, and system levels. It underscores the importance of equitable access, clear patient education, shared decision-making, and simplified treatment regimens to improve overall outcomes.