Our patient support programs (PSPs) not only have an important influence on patients’ self-reliance, they also contribute to therapy compliance. After all, PSPs provide the patient with information for better disease management. Advice, training or digital reminders to take medication are means to improve adherence.
Indeed, adherence to therapy is important in conditions where the patient does not immediately notice the results of the treatment, but does have undesirable side effects. The patient benefits in the long term from contentiously taking the medication, but in the short term only sees the unpleasant side effects.

We have always believed that a well-informed patient adheres to therapy much easier. Scientific research appears to confirm this now.

A large study by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) of no less than 64 patient programs for various chronic diseases showed a clear positive impact of PSPs on, among other things, adherence. A similar study on treatment adherence in MS patients concluded that a personalized support program significantly increased patients’ likelihood of adherence to treatment.

Finally, a systematic study of patient portals found that digital services could improve patient satisfaction and increase adherence (up to 37%). With a good mix of physical and digital contact moments, with nurses and experts, therefore Novellas Healthcare strives for the best possible fit for patients.

The digital touchpoints in Novellas Healthcare’s PSPs consist not only of reminders, but also of education. Through various contact moments (physical and digital), we can inform the patient about the disease, the medication and the best therapy behaviour.

Also read: 5 tips to improve your PSP

To ensure successful treatment education, it is crucial to determine how involved the patient wants to be in the development of the treatment plan and to provide tailor-made solutions. Successful information therefore requires the participation of the doctor, the support nurses and the patient.

Programs in which nurses interact directly with patients to provide information or raise awareness about their illness, to help them administer medications correctly and manage their illness have a significant impact on adherence.

Support nurses who support patient programs therefore play a key role in patient education and adherence.

Also read: pivotal figure between doctor and patient