Editorial

Medications Don’t Work If Patients Don’t Take Them

Authors: E Michael Lewiecki, MD, FACP, FACE

Abstract

“Keep a watch also on the faults of the patients, which make them lie about their taking of things prescribed. For through not taking disagreeable drinks, purgative or other, they sometimes die. What they have done never results in a confession, but the blame is thrown on the physician.” 1 - —Hippocrates (born ca 460 BC, died ca 377 BC)

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References

1. Hippocrates: Decorum. From DiMatteo M, DiNicola D. Achieving Patient Compliance: The Psychology of the Medical Practitioner’s Role. New York, Pergamon Press Inc, 1982.
 
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