Compliance can be defined in many ways. The
meaning of the concept is directly dependent
upon the discipline and the context in which it
is used. Lacking a gold standard for its
measurement, a clear definition for the concept
of compliance in nursing and other
health-related professions should be explored.
This article explores the definitions of the
concept as it relates to various disciplines, and
examines its true meaning as it relates to the
nursing profession. Nurses are encouraged to
take a patient-centered approach to patient care,
thereby forming alliances and empowering
patients and family members to take an active
role in their health care.
Search terms: Compliance, health care, active