Abstract
This chapter describes the involvement of patients with chronic non-cancer pain in therapy, the cooperation between the patient and the healthcare professional, ways in which this cooperation (or compliance) can be improved and how patients can be motivated to adhere predominantly to pharmacological therapy. In the beginning, this chapter describes the ideal and common patient, active and passive attitudes of the patient, comprehension and recall as the basis of compliance and adherence to therapy.
Subsequently, possible ways of motivating the patient for adherence to pharmacotherapy are described as well as some problems regarding the patient and the healthcare professional as well as the healthcare system as a whole that may hinder effective cooperation. If the patient is seen as a partner in the relationship with the healthcare professional, if the healthcare professional adequately communicates with the patient, and if the patient feels both support and activation on part of the healthcare professional, then a more active involvement of the patient in the therapy can be induced, as well as better adherence to the therapy, better information of the patient and recall of information, thereby enhancing cooperation in the therapy and adaptation to chronic non-cancer pain.