For example, one study reported outcome data as a composite score, combining adherence to other aspects of the medical regimen (such as clinic attendance and laboratory work) with adherence to medication. Outcome assessed was adherence to treatment components other than prescribed medication. Interventions delivered by text messaging or telemedicine. Medication adherence data were reported for both the intervention and comparator groups.Ĭomplex interventions of which an app was just one component. Participants of any age who were taking one or more prescribed medications for any health condition and for any duration.Īn intervention group which received an app-based intervention delivered through a smartphone, tablet computer or personal digital assistant to help, support or advise about medication adherence.Ī comparator group which received usual care, a control condition which did not use an app 12 or a control app which did not include any BCTs (eg, an app that was a non-health-related game 13). RCTs relevant to this review were those that investigated the use of an app on a mobile device to support medication adherence. The conclusions drawn have potential to inform future large-scale public health interventions for the improvement of medication adherence. The objectives of this review are (1) to establish whether apps designed to support medication adherence demonstrate efficacy and (2) to identify the intervention characteristics and BCTs associated with efficacy. We have performed a novel systematic review with meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of smartphone apps in supporting medication adherence. 9 To date, the efficacy of smartphone apps in supporting patient adherence to regularly prescribed medications has not been evaluated within the scientific literature using rigorous quantitative review. A BCT is defined as an active component of an intervention that is designed to change behaviour. 8 Such apps frequently use behaviour change techniques (BCTs) to promote improvements in adherence. Hundreds of apps are now available to patients to support them in taking regular medication. However, smartphone ownership in those aged over 65 more than trebled between the years 20 from 5% to 18%, and is set to continue to increase. 6 Patients who are prescribed multiple medications are commonly in the older age group, where the percentage of smartphone users may be lower. Mobile devices can meet these needs, and in 2018 Ofcom reported that 78% of adults and 95% of individuals aged 16–24 years old in the UK own a smartphone, demonstrating that smartphones are a growing part of modern life. Interventions for improving adherence should be reliable, contemporary, acceptable and readily available to the person. 4 Furthermore, in 2003 the Adherence to Long-term Therapies report published by the WHO stated that unless medication adherence is addressed, advances in biomedical technology will not achieve their potential. 2 The annual cost of non-adherence is estimated to exceed £930 million in England 3 and between $100 and $300 billion in the USA. 1 The therapeutic benefit of prescribed medications is limited owing to an estimated 50% of patients not adhering to medications. Adherence to medication is defined as the extent to which patients take medications as prescribed and agreed with their healthcare providers.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |