Scale Overview & Construct
5-item scale measuring how closely a patient follows their doctor's treatment recommendations.
Purpose & Measurement Objectives
Instrument Specifications
Academic Citation & Instrument Provenance
When referencing this instrument in research, academic theses, or clinical institutional audits, please cite the original author publication:
Governance, Boundaries & Ethical Use
Imported from the OpenScales open item-bank project. This specific digital implementation has not been independently clinically validated by PsiQ — scores are for self-reflection, research, and educational purposes only, and are not a diagnosis. Items 1 and 3 describe difficulty adhering and are reverse-scored so a higher total consistently reflects greater adherence.
License: Public Domain (original scale); CC BY 4.0 (implementation). Citation: DiMatteo, M. R., Sherbourne, C. D., Hays, R. D., Ordway, L., Kravitz, R. L., McGlynn, E. A., Kaplan, S., & Rogers, W. H. (1993). Physicians' characteristics influence patients' adherence to medical treatment: results from the Medical Outcomes Study. Health Psychology, 12(2), 93-102. This is not a diagnostic tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOS Patient Adherence Scale?
5-item scale measuring how closely a patient follows their doctor's treatment recommendations.
How long does the MOS Patient Adherence Scale take?
It takes about 2 minutes to answer all 5 questions. You can go at your own pace.
Is this test free, and is it available in Hindi?
Yes, it is free with a PsiQ account. The questions and answer options are available in English, Hindi and Hinglish.
Can this test diagnose a condition?
No. Online self-report scales are for self-reflection, education and research, not diagnosis. If you are worried about your mental health, please speak to a qualified mental-health professional.