Medication Adherence and Interprofessional Collaboration
“Why won’t they just take their pills?”
The reasons for medication non-adherence can be complex. Just because a person is prescribed medication does not mean that they will take that medication. What is the role of a social worker in this situation? While it is important for social workers to understand medications and the effects of medications, prescribing medication is outside a social worker’s scope of practice. This means that social workers must work both with clients and with other health professionals when addressing medication adherence.
For this Discussion, you consider the role of the social worker within an interdisciplinary team in supporting a client’s treatment plan.
- Describe 2-3 different reasons why an individual may not take their medication as prescribed.
- Explain the role of the social worker in addressing medication adherence.
- Describe specific skills or strategies you would use both with the client and the prescribing health professional to address medication adherence.
- Explain how a social worker’s role may differ from other health professionals when addressing medication adherence.
- Explain how social identity, power, privilege, and marginalization may impact the reason for non-adherence.
Two to three different reasons why an individual may not take their medication as prescribed include:
- Financial barriers: Some individuals may not have the financial means to purchase their medication, especially if it is not covered by insurance.
- Side effects: Some individuals may experience negative side effects from their medication, which can lead them to stop taking it.
- Forgetfulness: Some individuals may simply forget to take their medication as prescribed, especially if they have a complex medication regimen.
The role of the social worker in addressing medication adherence is to support the client in understanding the importance of medication adherence and identifying any barriers to adherence. Social workers can work collaboratively with prescribing health professionals to ensure that the client’s treatment plan is effective and manageable. Additionally, social workers can help clients access resources and support services that can assist with medication adherence.