A pivotal contributor to this conversation was Professor John Weinman, an expert in health psychology and medication adherence from the Centre for Adherence Research and Education at King's College London. This year’s event drew close to 20,000 participants in live broadcasts and 75,000 registered healthcare professionals, underscoring the importance of medication adherence as a global health priority. Prof. Weinman’s participation was central, providing evidence-based perspectives on the roots of non-adherence and the ways clinicians can foster better patient outcomes through behavioral understanding and support.
Key Sessions and Insights
The agenda of the Congress was structured around interactive sessions and diverse perspectives. Prof. Weinman led a session titled, ““Don’t remind me to take my medication”: Exploring behaviors behind medication non-adherence", where he delved into the psychological drivers of non-adherence. This talk challenged the notion that non-adherence is primarily due to patients simply “forgetting” to take their medication, instead highlighting the wide range of behavioral factors, which can impact adherence. His approach resonated strongly with the audience, as well as discussing tools clinicians can use to better support patients in overcoming these barriers.
A global panel featuring speakers from the U.S., Thailand, and Mexico shared insights on local adherence issues, illustrating how cultural, economic, and healthcare infrastructure factors influence patient behavior across different regions. Prof. Weinman emphasized that understanding these diverse perspectives is key to designing interventions that are relevant and effective in varied healthcare settings.
Another critical session focused on AI and digital health solutions as tools to improve the physician-patient relationship. Experts discussed how technology can serve as a bridge to more personalized care, helping to identify adherence issues in real-time and provide timely support.
Widespread Media Coverage Highlights Global Reach
This year’s Congress witnessed exceptional engagement, with close to 20,000 attendees tuning in live and 75,000 healthcare professionals registered. These numbers reflect a significant commitment within the healthcare community to address medication adherence as a global health priority.
The a:care Congress captured significant media attention, amplifying its impact well beyond the virtual conference room. Express Healthcare highlighted Abbott’s collaboration with the Association of Physicians of India in promoting adherence initiatives, while ET Healthworld covered the congress’s India chapter and its focus on adherence for non-communicable disease management. Additionally, El Espectador and Pharmabiz published features stressing the essential role of adherence in maximizing patient outcomes.
Access On-Demand: Continuing the Conversation
For those who could not join the live sessions, presentations are now available on-demand. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to revisit these sessions and share insights with colleagues, helping extend the reach of these vital discussions. The recordings are available online.