What is the Difference Between Concordance and Compliance?

The terms concordance and compliance are related but distinct concepts in the context of patient behavior and medication-taking. Here are the main differences between the two:

Compliance:

• Refers to the extent to which a patient follows the recommendations of the prescriber.
• Focuses on the patient's behavior in accordance with the doctor's prescribed advice.
• Has been used to emphasize that the patient is free to decide whether to adhere to the doctor's recommendations, and failure to do so should not be a reason to blame the patient.

Concordance:

• Refers to the extent to which the patient and practitioner agree on the treatment.
• Focuses on the nature of the interaction between the clinician and patient, aiming to establish a therapeutic alliance.
• Addresses the processes underlying medication-taking, such as an equal and effective therapeutic relationship that supports the patient during the entire course of receiving long-term treatment.

In summary, compliance is about the patient's behavior in relation to the prescriber's recommendations, whereas concordance emphasizes the agreement between the patient and practitioner on the treatment and the nature of their interaction.

Comparative Table: Concordance vs Compliance

Concordance and compliance are terms used in the field of medicine to describe the relationship between a patient and their healthcare provider, particularly regarding the patient's adherence to medical advice. Here is a table outlining the key differences between the two concepts:

While both concepts aim to ensure patients follow medical advice, concordance emphasizes a more collaborative and equal relationship between the patient and healthcare provider. Compliance, on the other hand, focuses on the patient's adherence to the prescriber's recommendations. The term "adherence" has recently been introduced as a more neutral term that encompasses both compliance and concordance, referring to the patient's persistence in a practice or tenet and their practical assent to the prescriber's advice.