Working With Patients
Patient compliance can be difficult to ensure. Patients may not always understand instructions or may not be able to afford their prescribed medications. They may stop treating a skin infection before it is completely healed. Research demonstrates that patient compliance outcomes are better with shorter treatment duration. The following are tips for increasing patient compliance:
Teach good hygiene
Good hygiene practice is vital to healing and preventing recurrence in skin infections, especially in patients with impetigo. Studies have shown infection rates decrease when children and their caregivers regularly clean their hands.
Use as directed
Make sure that your patients understand the required dosing and how to take or apply their medication. Teach them:
- Clean the wound as directed by your doctor
- If directed by your doctor, the treated area should be covered by a bandage
- Use your treatment for all the days as directed; even if your affected area improves
- If you have any questions, please contact your doctor
Get extra help
For parents administering treatment to small children, it may be useful to enlist the help of another parent or adult. It may be difficult for a parent to hold a small child and apply or administer medication simultaneously, especially if it stings.
