6 Strategies to Improve Patient Outcomes Via Medication Adherence
- Christopher Johnson
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Improving medication adherence is one of the most reliable ways to improve patient outcomes, yet real success usually comes down to simple, human-centered habits. Before diving into what six thought leaders shared, here’s a quick look at the core ideas they lean on:
• Meet patients where they are, not where instructions expect them to be
• Use reminders that feel personal, not automated
• Explain the “why” behind each medication
• Keep routines simple and tie meds to daily habits
• Spot non-adherence early with better documentation
• Ask real-life questions to personalize care
Below is how six clinicians and leaders put these ideas into practice.
1. Text Reminders and Clear Communication Boost Refills
People rarely ignore their medications on purpose. Most of the time they simply forget, feel unsure, or don’t fully understand why a prescription matters. That’s why the reminder strategy shared by Josiah Lipsmeyer feels so practical.
"Here's what I've learned working with plastic surgeons. One office started sending text reminders and actually calling patients to check in. Refill rates went up because people finally understood when and why to take their medicine. We used patient feedback to make the messages clearer, which helped them heal better. Honestly, it just comes down to talking to people plainly and making them feel like they're in this together."
Josiah Lipsmeyer, Founder
When patients get messages written in plain language, the barrier between “I meant to” and “I did it” shrinks. This type of touchpoint also shows patients they aren’t navigating their health alone. Many clinics rely on automated portals, but people respond far better when the communication sounds human and is timed around moments they actually need help, like refills or dose changes.
The most effective teams also update their messaging over time. Asking what wording confused a patient or made them hesitate can give you better insight than a dozen formal surveys. Small tweaks lead to better adherence, stronger trust, and better healing patterns. Sometimes improving patient outcomes is as ordinary as making sure people know exactly what to do next, and that someone is paying attention along the way.
2. Mechanical Understanding Transforms Patients into Active Participants
Education matters, but how you teach may matter even more. Heike Kraemer shared a perspective that highlights something often overlooked in adherence conversations: patients take medication more consistently when they understand the mechanics of their condition.
"Most practitioners conceive of adherence as a behavior problem that can be solved by reminders and education. In the treatment of temporomandibular disorders and complex oral rehabilitation, I find adherence is improved when patients understand the mechanical causes behind their symptoms. Showing someone how they can change their chronic headaches by changing their jaw position turns them from a passive recipient into an active participant."
Helping patients connect cause and effect changes the entire dynamic. When someone physically sees how movement, alignment, or habits impact symptoms, they stop viewing medication as a chore and start viewing treatment as teamwork.
"Tailoring occurs through an understanding of what drives each individual person. Some want to get off of pain medication, some need to get back to normal eating, and some need to see progress within the weeks to remain committed."
Heike Kraemer, President and Dentist
This is the heart of personalization. One patient might be motivated by faster functional recovery, another by reduced discomfort, and another by avoiding long-term medication reliance. When you explain treatment phases in the context of what matters to the person in front of you, their discipline grows. Compliance stops being an assignment and becomes a personal investment.
3. Education and Personalization Drive Medication Adherence Success
Some patients need repetition, others need reassurance, and some simply need the plan simplified. Dr. Edmond Hakimi emphasized that education paired with personalization creates the biggest lift in long-term adherence.
"Improving medication adherence and patient outcomes requires a blend of education, personalization, and open communication during follow-up appointments. The most effective strategies that I have found include educating the patient and involving them in decision-making."
When patients feel knowledgeable and involved, adherence jumps. Simplifying regimens helps too. Once-daily dosing, combination pills, or syncing meds with everyday tasks lower the cognitive load. People stick with what feels manageable.
Dr. Hakimi also pointed out that tailoring care isn’t only about health conditions. It includes cultural beliefs, learning preferences, and a patient’s comfort with technology.
"To tailor to my patients, I like to reduce the stigma that may be associated with cultural or familial beliefs surrounding treatment, use visual aids for those who are visual learners, or even use technology for younger patients who like to use health apps or other digital health tools."
Dr. Edmond Hakimi, D.O, Medical Director
Taking a few extra minutes to match the strategy to the person often determines whether they follow through consistently. When support feels personal, adherence feels doable.
4. Daily Routines Beat Complicated Charts for Adherence
Aja Chavez boiled it down to something many clinicians already know but sometimes forget: people stick to routines, not complex instructions.
"Here's a simple thing that works for getting people to take their medicine. Tie it to their daily routine, like brushing their teeth. A sticky note on the coffee machine can work better than some complicated chart. In my work, I skip the medical talk and just focus on their actual day."
Most medication plans fail not because instructions were unclear, but because they didn’t fit naturally into the person’s lifestyle. When you anchor a dose to something someone already does daily, the habit forms faster.
"When the plan feels like their own idea, they stick with it and you can see them start to get it and feel better."
Aja Chavez, Executive Director
That sense of ownership is powerful. People are far more consistent when the strategy aligns with their real schedule instead of a theoretical one. Even tiny behavioral adjustments, like placing medication next to a toothbrush or coffee mug, can dramatically improve consistency.
Clinics that guide patients through creating these simple anchors often see better healing timelines and fewer missed doses without adding any new technology or big systems.
5. Documentation Systems Identify Non-Adherent Patients Early
Some barriers don’t show up until follow-up visits, and by then the patient may already be off track. Tom O’Brien described how clearer documentation systems can catch issues earlier.
"The most significant improvements in patient adherence result from making follow-up procedures more straightforward and establishing specific treatment expectations during initial patient interactions."
The clinic he referenced built a combined system for medication reviews, care plans, and check-ins. This helped staff see patterns early without creating extra administrative work.
"Our clinic which handled numerous chronic care patients developed a documentation system that combined medication reviews with care plans and check-ins to help clinicians identify non-adherent patients at an early stage. The system provided practical data value without requiring additional administrative work."
Good documentation doesn’t need to be complicated. It only needs to be consistent. When staff have an easy way to see who is drifting, they can intervene sooner.
"Our organization helped clinics in non-English speaking areas by providing translation services for essential therapy information and establishing partnerships with local community advocates."
Tom OBrien, CEO
This highlights something important: adherence improves when communication barriers fall. Whether it’s language, literacy, or comfort level, patients follow through better when they feel seen, heard, and supported.
6. Fit Pills into Existing Routines Clients Have
The last insight echoes the idea that adherence happens in real life, not on paper. Amy Mosset focuses on the patient’s daily flow rather than giving speeches.
"When I'm working with clients, I've found it helps to skip the speeches about medication. Instead, I ask what their morning actually looks like. One guy always feeds his cat first, so we told him to put the pill bottle right by the cat food."
Small details like this matter. People already have rhythms that shape their day, and medication fits better when it becomes part of something they’re already committed to doing.
"We talk through their worries about side effects instead of brushing them off. That's what makes the difference. It's not some complex strategy, just fitting the pill into a routine they already have."
Amy Mosset, CEO
Open conversations about fears and side effects build trust. Once the emotional barrier drops, the practical steps feel easier too. This blend of honest dialogue and lifestyle-based planning helps patients feel supported instead of pressured.
Conclusion: Simple Strategies That Improve Patient Outcomes
The best strategies to improve patient outcomes often feel surprisingly small. A clearer text message. A routine tied to a morning habit. A better explanation of mechanics. A documentation shortcut that keeps a patient from falling behind. When you combine these approaches with genuine curiosity about a person’s motivations and lifestyle, adherence becomes something patients can succeed at without feeling overwhelmed. In the end, improving medication habits is really about improving connection, and when connection grows, patient outcomes follow.
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