Obedience to collaboration: compliance, adherence and concordance

A literature review was conducted to ascertain the historical and current use of the terms ‘compliance,’ ‘adherence’ and ‘concordance’ in relation to prescribing. Although there is agreement that compliance is not appropriate in the context of patient behaviour, it is still used. The implications for clinician-patient relationship and engagement are considered. The competencies that guide prescribing practitioners in the United Kingdom embrace concepts of adherence and concordance but do not mention ‘compliance’. Caution is given against changing vocabulary only.