Adherence to therapy: using an evidence-based protocol

Rehabil Nurs. 2007 Nov-Dec;32(6):227-32. doi: 10.1002/j.2048-7940.2007.tb00179.x.

Abstract

The number of patients receiving injectable medications has increased significantly during the past few years. Today, patients with hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis are added to the list of those, namely diabetics, who have been instructed in self-administration of injectable medications. Currently, some of these medications create significant skin site reactions, and patients tend to discontinue the medications without informing the healthcare provider. Determining the problem and developing a research study that provides evidence to demonstrate methods to help patients adhere to agreed-upon treatment modalities can be accomplished within the clinical practice setting. This study provided a method to decrease skin reactions with interferon 1-b injections for multiple sclerosis patients and has been continued as a method with other like medications.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / administration & dosage*
  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / adverse effects
  • Adult
  • Air
  • Clinical Nursing Research
  • Clinical Protocols
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Erythema / chemically induced
  • Erythema / diagnosis
  • Erythema / prevention & control
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intramuscular / adverse effects
  • Injections, Intramuscular / methods*
  • Injections, Intramuscular / psychology
  • Interferon beta-1b
  • Interferon-beta / administration & dosage*
  • Interferon-beta / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis* / drug therapy
  • Multiple Sclerosis* / psychology
  • Nurse's Role
  • Nursing Assessment
  • Nursing Methodology Research
  • Patient Compliance* / psychology
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Self Administration / adverse effects
  • Self Administration / methods*
  • Self Administration / psychology
  • Skin Temperature
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Interferon beta-1b
  • Interferon-beta