Patient attitudes toward treatment predict attendance in clinical pharmacotherapy trials of alcohol and drug treatment

This study evaluated for 152 patients the relationship between their attitudes toward treatment and session attendance in pharmacotherapy research trials aimed at treating alcohol dependence. The study included a new, 50-item, patient-administered measure of attitudes, Treatment Research Experiences and Attitudes Task (TREAT), which is comprised of ten items from each of five attitudinal dimensions typically associated with treatment adherence: treatment setting, taking medication, social support, medical professional, and intrinsic patient factors. Patients attending 80% or more clinical sessions scored higher, i.e., were more favorable on four of five of attitudinal dimensions. Thus, patient attitudes toward treatment may be useful in identifying areas that limit or improve treatment attendance.