Center Chronic Patient Adherence Behavior Analysis and Intervention Strategies Based on Prospect Theory

Abstract

Chronic diseases pose a global public health challenge; however, the primary obstacle to effective management is low patient treatment adherence. The traditional rational decision-making model is difficult to explain the internal motivations of adherence behavior fully. This study introduces the prospect theory of behavioral economics, aiming to deeply analyze the psychological mechanism of adherence decision-making in patients with chronic diseases and propose targeted intervention strategies. The study selected stroke prevention in patients with hypertension, diabetes, and schizophrenia as typical cases. Based on the latest international research results and real-world data, it revealed the universality and complexity of adherence issues. Analysis shows that the decision-making behavior of patients is significantly influenced by reference point dependence, loss aversion, and probability weight distortion. There are not only positive effects, such as using loss aversion for effective health warnings, but also deep-seated problems, such as excessive optimism, present bias, emotional avoidance, and information bias, that are exposed. To directly counter these biases, this paper proposes four strategies: integrating an information framework, applying a commitment mechanism, adjusting reference points, and designing immediate incentives, providing innovative solutions from the perspective of behavioral economics for improving the compliance of chronic disease patients worldwide. This research demonstrates the critical value of applying behavioral economics to health behavior change compared with traditional and rationalistic approaches.