About this Research Topic

Background

This Research Topic aims to explore and understand the complex interplay between patient or provider behavior and effective medication use. The aim is to uncover the underlying psychological and social factors that influence medication use. Behavioral theories provide a framework for studying many aspects of patient or provider behavior, including motivation, cognition, social interactions, and environmental influences. By applying these theories, researchers can identify the barriers and facilitators that affect medication use. Additionally, this Research Topic recognizes the importance of patient-centered care, in which an individual's beliefs, values, and preferences are considered in the treatment process. By combining insights from various fields to comprehensively examine the complex dynamics involved in medication use, researchers can develop evidence-based interventions that empower individuals to make informed decisions and promote better medication management, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes for patients.

This Research Topic is intended to help readers better understand the issues below. By addressing these issues, healthcare professionals can improve patient safety and the overall quality of care.

Medication-related problems: Medication-related problems can occur at various stages of medication use and lead to treatment discontinuation.
Medication non-adherence: A significant challenge in health care is patients not taking their medications as prescribed.
Health disparities: Health disparities exist in access to, use of, and outcomes related to medications among different populations.
Limited shared decision-making: There is a lack of communication between patients and healthcare professionals. Improved communication and shared decision-making between patients and healthcare professionals can improve medication adherence and health outcomes.
Lack of collaboration: There is also fragmented care and a lack of coordination among healthcare professionals.

This Research Topic aims to encompass a variety of approaches and methodologies within a behavior framework to understand and improve medication use. For example, we are interested in, but not limited to, the following areas.

Designing, implementing, and evaluating behavioral interventions to improve medication use.
Examining beliefs, attitudes, or psychosocial factors from patients or healthcare professionals related to medication use.
Exploring the role of technology in facilitating medication use.
Applying principles of economics, sociology, and psychology to understand and influence decision making.

We welcome a variety of article types, including Original Research, Review, Brief Research Report, and Perspective.

Keywords: health behavior, behavior theory, medication management, medication use, health outcome

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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