'Improving practitioner style will have no effect on adherence to medical advice.' To what extent do you agree with this statement? Use examples of research you have studied to support your answer.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Feb/Mar 2020). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [12] Marks: use generic levels of response in table C.
2. [S] Syllabus: improving adherence: improve practitioner style (Ley, 1988)
3. [M] Most likely (any other appropriate responses should be credited):
4. [N] No effect: Some people apply rational non-adherence, whatever the practitioner tells them
5. [N] Some people have unrealistic optimism / illusion of invulnerability
6. [N] Some people apply the health belief model with the practitioner, just one factor that determines their adherence.
7. [H] Has effect: Some people listen to a medical practitioner and obey or comply with orders
8. [H] Studies by Ley for example have shown that changing several features improves adherence (e.g. emphasising key information, simplifying instructions, etc)
9. [H] Ley et al. found adherence improves with presentation techniques
10. [H] Other studies have found changing practitioner style (doctor-centred to patient-centred) improves adherence.