TEOS: Adherence measurement

This ESPACOMP project is a framework for constructing operational definitions of medication adherence based on Timelines, Events, Objectives, Sources (TEOS)

Adherence measurement – from raw data to adherence scores

Objective: Develop practical guides for computing adherence from electronic monitoring, electronic dispensing / prescribing, and self-report data.

Rationale: To understand the role of medication adherence in achieving good treatment outcomes, we need accurate and standardized adherence measurement. Although best practice examples exist, evidence reviews often highlight the heterogeneity and suboptimal quality of adherence measures. These limitations hinder evidence accumulation. One reason for suboptimal measurement is the lack of shared algorithms / practical guidelines for computing adherence. Therefore, researchers who start working in this field or intend to include adherence as a covariate in other studies would benefit from comprehensive practical guidance on how to collect and analyze adherence-related data to obtain accurate and clinically-relevant estimates. ESPACOMP can provide this guidance by developing consensus documents on step-by-step advice for data management. For instance, if such guidance exists, studies that apply the same procedures in a transparent manner can be used in evidence syntheses to draw more solid conclusions and facilitate cumulative science in adherence research.