TY - JOUR PY - 1993// TI - Compliance and cognitive function: a methodological approach to measuring unintentional errors in medication compliance in the elderly. McGill-Calgary Drug Research Team JO - Gerontologist A1 - Isaac, L. M. A1 - Tamblyn, R. M. SP - 772 EP - 781 VL - 33 IS - 6 N2 - This study describes the development of a method for assessing the relationship between cognitive function, comprehension, and compliance with medication. We assessed multiple aspects of cognitive performance, medication planning ability, and medication compliance in a convenience sample of 20 outpatients. Using a test battery that measured mental status, attention/concentration, memory function, and motor strength and dexterity, we found that: (1) standard mental status assessment was poorly correlated with memory function; (2) attention/concentration and memory were related to medication planning accuracy; (3) motor dexterity and strength were related to the ability to access medications; and (4) visual perception and memory were the skills most strongly correlated with medication compliance. Findings suggest that aspects of attention/concentration, visual and verbal memory, and motor function which are untapped by simple mental status assessment are related to medication access, planning, and compliance in elderly patients.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0016-9013 UR - http://dx.doi.org/ ID - ref1 ER -