Improving patient cooperation with arthritis treatment regimens.

This review of the literature on patient cooperation with arthritis treatment recommendations is categorized into 2 sections--involuntary and voluntary lack of cooperation. Extrapolating primarily from investigations of patients with other chronic diseases, 5 strategies for reducing involuntary patient noncooperation and 4 recommendations for improving voluntary patient cooperation are discussed. Although much remains to be learned about factors that influence patient cooperation with arthritis treatment recommendations, the application of existing knowledge can improve current levels. Determined efforts by health professionals are necessary if the excessive waste resulting from patient noncooperation is to be reduced. Shortcomings of past research and fruitful avenues for future empirical work in this important area are discussed.