Diabetic Compliance

Compliance in health care is defined as the extent to which a patient's behavior (in terms of taking medication, executing the lifestyle changes, undergoing medical tests, or keeping appointments with the physicians) coincides with the health care provider's recommendations for health and medical advice. Noncompliant patients are those whose health-seeking or maintenance behaviors lack congruence with the recommendations prescribed by a health care provider.

Patient noncompliance is a serious health care concern that poses a great challenge to the successful delivery of health care. Diabetes mellitus (DM), the most common endocrine disease in the world, is a major global public health issue.

Address this question:

• How can a patient's gender and ethnicity impact the patient's compliance as well as the provider's ethical decision making when caring for a patient with diabetes? Give examples.