Acceptance of telemonitoring to enhance medication compliance in patients with chronic heart failure

Abstract

Noncompliance with medication often leads to a deterioration of health status in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). The aim of this pilot study was to test a telemonitoring intervention that can increase compliance and prevent readmissions in order to improve patients' quality of life. The study's purpose was to identify processes and outcomes of telemonitoring as well as factors associated with its acceptance. Sixty-two (n = 62) CHF patients participated in a controlled, longitudinal study. Medication intake was monitored with a medication box transferring data to an electronic health record. Physicians, nurses, or pharmacists monitored signals and, in case of absence of signal transfers, initiated interventions. Patients were assessed regarding their medication intake, clinical status, and health status, as well as acceptance of medication monitoring. There was a significant improvement in mental and physical health status from study intake to 1-month follow-up. Self-reported noncompliance and mental health were significantly lower in study patients. Mental health of controls did not improve in the course of the study. The acceptance of the tool was high, however, 47% of patients did not consider it necessary to continue monitoring after study termination. Medication telemonitoring might prove an effective method to improve medication intake and health in home care in a subset of patients with self-reported noncompliance.