A Simple Single-Item Rating Scale to Measure Medication Adherence: Further Evidence for Convergent Validity

BACKGROUND: Self-report measures of medication adherence are inexpensive and minimally intrusive. However, the validity of self-reported adherence is compromised by recall errors for missed doses and socially desirable responding. METHOD: Examined the convergent validity of 2 self-report adherence measures administered by computerized interview: (a) recall of missed doses and (b) a single-item visual analogue rating scale (VAS). Adherence was also monitored using unannounced phone-based pill counts that served as an objective benchmark. RESULTS: The VAS obtained adherence estimates that paralleled unannounced pill counts (UPCs). In contrast, self-reported recall (SR-recall) of missed medications consistently overestimated adherence. Correlations with participant characteristics also suggested that the computer-administered VAS was less influenced by response biases than SR-recall of missed medication doses. CONCLUSIONS: A single-item VAS offers an inexpensive and valid method of assessing medication adherence that may be useful in clinical as well as research settings.