The Weakness of Will: The Role of Free Will in Treatment Adherence

Abstract

Chronic disease prevention and management requires a lifelong commitment and adherence to lifestyle modifications, monitoring of symptoms, medication use, and other forms of therapy. Treatment adherence is a crucial and complex concept in patient care provision, and it requires the voluntary active involvement of patients for the best possible outcome. Multiple factors, which may or may not be under the patient’s control, can influence treatment adherence. However, adherence or non-adherence to a certain treatment is predominantly influenced by one’s sense of agency, values, beliefs, attitudes, and willpower. It is evident that mental states appear to influence patients’ decision-making, and the best treatment outcome occurs when a patient identifies their goals, needs, and desires and exercises their decision-making and free will during the course of receiving care. The role of healthcare providers is critical in promoting treatment adherence, thereby enhancing patient outcomes. Thus, this paper highlights the importance of promoting a sense of agency and integrating patients’ values, beliefs, attitudes, and intentions during the provision of healthcare. It is indispensable to recognize the individual’s ability and initiative to control and manage their illness in the face of challenging socioeconomic and cultural reality. On logical grounds, it is not enough to appreciate the value of free will and mental states, it is also essential to empower and cultivate an individual patient’s willpower to make a well-informed, free decision based on their mental state for the most optimal treatment outcomes.

Exploring different stroke populations’ information needs: a cross-sectional study in England

“…It is estimated that adhering to necessary long-term management and healthy behaviour changes could prevent more than 50% of strokes [ 1 ]. However, the patient’s willpower and beliefs, together with their personal, social, and economic status would often influence these modifications [ 2 , 3 ]. Providing relevant information about the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle and the consequences of not making changes is essential [ 4 ].…”