Memory and Adherence to Treatment

Question 1

How much information do patients forget from their doctor

Answer 1

About 50%

Question 2

Stability Bias

Answer 2

People expect to remember things and feel confident when in fact they are likely to forget

Question 3

Types of Memory

Answer 3

Sensory Memory - Ability to process and recall what you experience at present moment; Unattended information is lost quickly

Short Term Memory - When attention is paid to sensory memory; Unrehearsed memory is lost; rehearsed is maintained; Limited Capacity

Long Term Memory - Rehearsed short term memory; can be retrieved back to short term memory if needed; some information lost over time

Question 4

Semantic Effect

Answer 4

Feature of long term memory

Things that are conceptually similar are grouped together

(e.g. Aunt and Uncle)

Question 5

Accoustic Coding

Answer 5

Feature of short term memory

Thigns that sound similar are grouped (e.g. cat and hat)

Question 6

Primacy and Recency Effect effect

Answer 6

Feature of long term memory

Information from the beginning of an event are stored more efficiently in long term memory, information at the end are stored efficiently in working memory, leaving the intermediate to struggle

Think of performing concerts

Question 7

How to incorporate memory fallibility into patient care

Answer 7

Organise experience into ‘chapters’ to allow each chapter to move to long term

Less is more - focus on key aspects

Tell patients what is important to remember so they rehearse it

Precise information
(Older people remember the gist though)

Create dialogue so patient is active

Exploit primacy and recency effects

Associate info with visual aids

Question 8

Study of Godden and Baddeley

Answer 8

Divers were given lists of words to learn and recall in 4 conditions

Learn on either land or underwater; Recall in land or underwater

Those learning and recalling in same remembered more than those in different places due to reinstatement of context

Question 9

Adherence

Answer 9

Following advice given by health professionals

Question 10

Direct vs Indirect methods of measuring adherence

Answer 10

Direct is stuff like watching them do it or measuring levels of x in their urine/blood

Indirect is stuff like patient diaries or asking them or maybe even just pill counts

Question 11

Forms of non-adherence

Answer 11

Failure to make lifestyle changes
Failure to attend appointments
Failure to take medicationat all/at the right time

Question 12

What is one factor that affects rate of adherence

Answer 12

Complexity of medication schedule

Question 13

Barriers to Adherence

Answer 13

Convenience
Cost
Side Effects
Poor Knowledge
Depression
Stress/Anxiety
Life stage transitionn

Question 14

Peiple who failed to adhere

Answer 14

Younger
More chaotic Lives
Worried about side effect (education can help)

Question 15

How to promote adherence

Answer 15

Firstly consider non-adherence verbally and ask for compliance
Empathise with patient
Create climate where patients can discuss non-adherence
Take interest in their life and try fit in treatment
Improve communication and signpost to further information