noun. 1. the ableness of a person to comply with a therapeutic program, specifically those comprising drug therapy, guided by a medical professional. Exterior factors impacting such therapeutic interventions might be inclusive of having the right instruction concerning a drug and what is does, the person’s capacity to compensate those offering treatment, or otherwise attain the prescribed therapy, and familial or societal belief systems impacting the acceptableness of the therapy sought by the patient. Internal indicators consist of the person’s opinions on the effectiveness of the therapy, the existence or inexistence of upsetting side effects, and the a person’s capacity to fully grasp or abide by any and all guidelines provided to them by medical professionals. Commonly referred to as compliance.
ADHERENCE: “The employees had some trouble adhering to the new policies in the initial phases of their introduction, but soon caught on and implemented them rather well.”