(very young or too old patient).

When a patient is regarded as uncooperative (non-compliant is the less acceptable term), care outcomes are less than desirable. Several factors play a role in a patient not following care recommendations. Commonly, non-cooperation may be related to inability to obtain supplies due to insurance, cost, or other supply chain issues. It also can be a result of pain associated with care or the inability to have a caregiver available at certain times of the day as prescribed. Other issues, such as the patient’s employment situation, also may impair the patient’s ability to adhere to the treatment plan.

Clinicians must be mindful that healthcare professionals may contribute to the problem, often forgetting to communicate among themselves. Quality measures of provider-focused interventions that encourage written, oral, or visual instructions must be identified and provided to colleagues and patients in a non-judgmental manner. Patient cooperation requires clinician patience ¹⁾.