From the Guidelines
Abandonment in treatment is most commonly caused by poor communication and lack of follow-up between healthcare providers and patients, as evidenced by a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2020 1. This issue is further complicated by factors such as financial hardship, emotional overwhelm, lack of preparation, mental health issues, and relationship breakdown.
- Key factors contributing to treatment abandonment include:
- Poor communication and lack of follow-up between healthcare providers and patients
- Financial hardship
- Emotional overwhelm
- Lack of preparation
- Mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, or addiction
- Relationship breakdown, where communication failures lead to disconnection A study published in Pediatrics in 2021 1 highlights the importance of close follow-up and support in preventing feelings of abandonment, particularly in cases where community and mental health resources are limited.
- Strategies to prevent treatment abandonment include:
- Implementing trauma-informed care
- Providing clear communication of expectations and procedures
- Offering choices when possible
- Maintaining a warm and welcoming environment
- Ensuring continuity of care Another study published in the European Heart Journal in 2012 1 identifies reasons for medication non-adherence, including health system factors, condition-related factors, patient-related factors, therapy-related factors, and socio-economic factors.
- These factors can contribute to treatment abandonment and should be addressed through targeted interventions and support. Overall, addressing treatment abandonment requires a comprehensive approach that prioritizes communication, follow-up, and support, while also addressing underlying factors that contribute to abandonment 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Insufficient clinical response indicated a worsening of the patient’s condition that resulted in study discontinuation, as assessed by the investigator.
The causes of treatment abandonment include insufficient clinical response, which is a worsening of the patient's condition that results in study discontinuation, as assessed by the investigator 2. Other causes may include:
- relapse: defined as the recurrence of symptoms, such as an increase in YBOCS score or CGI-I score, or a worsening of the patient's condition 2
- adverse events: such as dysphoric mood, irritability, agitation, dizziness, sensory disturbances, anxiety, confusion, headache, lethargy, emotional lability, insomnia, and hypomania, which can occur upon discontinuation of treatment, particularly when abrupt 2
From the Research
Causes of Treatment Abandonment
There are no direct research papers provided to assist in answering this question. However, some studies touch on related topics such as child abandonment and psychological distress.
- Child abandonment is a complex issue with historical, sociological, and psychological perspectives 3.
- Institutionalization due to abandonment can lead to cognitive impairment in children, affecting attention, memory, and executive functions 4.
- Psychological distress in caregivers, such as grandmothers raising grandchildren, can be predicted by factors like family resources, social support, and physical health 5.
- Social support has been found to have a positive impact on wellbeing after traumatic events, including bereavement through sudden or violent causes 6.
- Treatment initiation and adherence can be influenced by various factors, including the type of treatment, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy versus medication, and economic influences 7.