Caregiver burden and medication adherence
Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS)
Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS) — administration and scoring reference.
Reference information · Official-form reference
- Last content update
- 2026-10-26
- Clinical review
- Not independently reviewed
- Source jurisdiction
- See individual sources
- Coverage
- Official-form reference
| Field | Instrument context |
|---|---|
| Version | MARS; Thompson ten-item Medication Adherence Rating Scale |
| Respondent | Self-report |
| Purpose | Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS) — administration and scoring reference. |
Administration
Use the original ten-item keyed self-report and explore difficulties without blame, including adverse effects, understanding and access.
Scoring method
Ten keyed yes/no responses; distinguish from similarly abbreviated adherence-report scales.
Interpretation & limitations
- Interpret the selected adherence/attitude findings alongside medication reconciliation and the person’s account.
- Interpret the findings alongside the clinical interview, functioning, history and relevant physical assessment.
- MARS is also used as an abbreviation for other adherence-report measures. Self-report cannot establish actual ingestion or authorize medication changes.
- Use the original instrument and manual for item wording, rating anchors, missing-data rules and any normative conversions. This reference does not establish a diagnosis or select treatment.