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Episode 1: The Adherence Evidence We Know — and the System & Pharma Change We Need
Despite decades of evidence, non‑adherence to medicines remains a challenge in healthcare. But why?
In this first episode of the Evidence for Change Podcast, Jonny Duder (CEO, Atlantis Health) is joined by Professor John Weinman, Emeritus Professor of Psychology Applied to Medicines at King’s College London, and Charles Beasley, a clinical research professional, to explore what 20+ years of adherence evidence has taught us.
We discuss why traditional approaches often fall short but also where behavioral science makes a practical difference in the design of effective adherence support with real‑world examples.
Key topics discussed:
- Why nonadherence has remained stubbornly high despite decades of evidence
- How beliefs, emotions, and motivation shape treatment behavior
- Why healthcare and life sciences organizations may struggle to implement behavioral science at scale
- Examples where behavior‑led approaches have successfully improved outcomes
Episode overview
Patient engagement and medication adherence have long been recognized as fundamental to achieving meaningful health outcomes — yet nonadherence is still a challenge across therapeutic areas, healthcare systems and geographies. Despite decades of adherence research and increased focus from pharma and life sciences organizations to support and empower this behavior, the evidence has not always translated into consistent, scalable change.
The conversation reframes medication nonadherence not as a patient failure, but as a complex, multi‑stage behavior shaped by patient beliefs, motivation and emotion as well as system design. Drawing on behavioral science, real‑world program experience, and recently published research, the episode explores why many current adherence interventions fall short — particularly those focused only on reminders or information.
The discussion also looks forward, examining what would need to change across policy, clinical training, and patient support program design to embed behavioral science for more effective solutions. Real‑world examples are shared to demonstrate that progress is possible — and that better outcomes for patients and healthcare systems, and in turn for pharma sponsored initiatives, are achievable when behavior change is taken seriously.
Professor John Weinman, Emeritus Professor of Psychology Applied to Medicines, King’s College London.
John has spent more than three decades researching patient behavior, self‑management, and treatment adherence, and has worked extensively at the intersection of behavioral science and real‑world healthcare practice.
Jonny Duder, CEO, Atlantis Health.
Jonny has over two decades of experience designing patient engagement strategies grounded in behavioral science for pharmaceutical and healthcare organizations globally.
Charles Beasley
Clinical research professional with over 12 years’ experience translating scientific ideas into clinical research and real‑world application.
All examples and studies discussed in this episode are based on publicly available, peer‑reviewed research. The views expressed are those of the speakers in their personal and professional capacities and do not represent the views of any current or former employer. No confidential or proprietary information is shared.