Back to Journals » Patient Preference and Adherence » Volume 3

Compliance with RSV prophylaxis: Global physicians’ perspectives

Authors Anderson K, Mullally VM, Fredrick LM, Campbell AL

Published 13 July 2009 Volume 2009:3 Pages 195—203

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/PPA.S5696

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 3



Kari S Anderson, Victoria M Mullally, Linda M Fredrick, Andrew L Campbell

Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL, USA

Abstract: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant cause of morbidity in high-risk infants. Palivizumab is proven to prevent serious RSV disease, but compliance with prophylaxis (monthly doses during the RSV season) is essential to ensure protection. We invited 453 pediatricians to participate in a survey to identify their perspectives of barriers to compliance and interventions to improve compliance with palivizumab prophylaxis schedules. One hundred physicians from five continents completed the survey, identifying caregiver inconvenience, distance to clinic, cost of prophylaxis, and lack of understanding of the severity of RSV as the most common reasons for noncompliance. They recommended provision of educational materials about RSV, reminders from hospital or clinic, and administration of prophylaxis at home to increase compliance. Globally, physicians recognize several obstacles to prophylaxis compliance. This survey suggests that focused proactive interventions such as empowering caregivers with educational materials and reducing caregiver inconvenience may be instrumental to increase compliance.

Keywords: medication adherence, respiratory syncytial virus infections, infant, premature, immunization, passive

Creative Commons License © 2009 The Author(s). This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License. By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.