Introduction: The word "compliance" describes the following of behavioural instructions from doctors. Most often these instructions apply to more or less intensive lifestyle changes for the patient. Discussion: Attempts to change the lifestyle of patients have been, on the whole, unsuccessful. Non-compliance results in poor treatment outcomes. This leads to various reactions on the part of the therapist from frustration to aggression. The expression "non-compliant" often has negative connotations and implies that the patient has such a thing as a free will or - assuming he has a free will - a lack of will to behave in a healthy way. This problem complex will be described with regard to the treatment of chronic wounds.