One of the most important success factors in treatment is patient motivation. Motivation is the impulse for recovery. While communicating with the patient, the doctor also assesses his psychological state, tries to understand the attitude to the disease and the degree of interest in treatment, the readiness to fight for his health through inner consent to necessary and often painful actions. After all, it is absolutely clear that a person will have to limit himself, change his usual way of life, allocate time for medical institutions, perhaps even radically change his life, work, income, social status. The doctor evaluates what place is occupied by health in the individual system of human internal values, and what price the person is willing to pay to change the situation.

The motivation for treatment is based on an internal biological instinct – survival, and is reflected in a certain human behavior. In addition to internal, genetically determined motivation, there is also an external, conscious, based on the information received and awareness of the situation.

The reasons for lack of motivation are varied. For certain, especially serious illnesses, psychological reactions are typical. Serious disorders such as depression, apathy, personality changes can significantly reduce interest in life and, accordingly, the motivation for treatment. Stress can accompany illness at different stages, also affecting the level of motivation.

Another significant reason for insufficient motivation is the underestimation of the importance of treatment and the danger of illness. This may be the result of information deficiency or its inadequate perception. The character of the patient, the level of his culture, family and religious traditions are of great importance here. Side effects of previous drug treatments and previous medical failures can also affect willingness to continue treatment. Medical non-professionalism, superficiality, lack of interest in the patient cause distrust of the patient and reduce his motivation.

The flip side of the coin is over-motivation. This leads to an increase in the level of activity and tension of the patient, wedges him in excessive introspection, unnecessary examinations, excessive measurements and treatments, and, thus, even deeper fixates him on the disease. Over-motivation can cause certain nervous breakdowns and unwanted emotional reactions.

Adequate motivation in patients who have information and understand the specific medical situation is the key to successful treatment.