There’s an expression in traditional medical practice, which also includes nurses, dietitians, physical therapists, pharmacists and other providers who work with patients. Those who don’t take their medicines as prescribed, eat the right diet, exercise, and do all the other things we are told to do for our health. For many, this becomes a really complicated and time-consuming set of behaviors people must master.
Patients who don’t do everything they are told to do are called “non-compliant”. I find this such a condescending label, really making the other person wrong. I think having compassion for the patient’s life, values and goals is key. In Motivational Interviewing, compassion is part of the spirit of MI. This means putting yourself in the other’s place and understanding things from his/her point of view.
A more compassionate approach might be helping the patient to identify which of the suggested behavioral changes is possible, and helping to make a plan for this change.
If the provider must note in the patient’s chart that not all of the advice has been taken, say that. Don’t label people, especially with such a derogatory term! I think using such language affects how the provider views the patient, and it’s not very flattering. We must respect our patients, even if we disagree with their choices.
