Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) is primarily used to ensure what?

• A. That side effects are monitored daily
• B. That the patient swallows each dose under supervision
• C. That blood levels are drawn after each dose
• D. That patients are discharged on time

Answer: (B)

Directly observed therapy is about guaranteeing that every dose is taken as prescribed by watching the patient swallow it. This supervision helps ensure adherence to the treatment plan, which is essential for regimens where missing doses can lead to treatment failure or drug resistance, such as tuberculosis therapy. While monitoring for side effects, checking blood levels, or ensuring timely discharge are important parts of overall care, they are not the defining purpose of DOT. The key idea is that each dose is ingested under direct supervision to confirm adherence and reduce the risk of resistance.