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. 2013 Mar-Apr;53(2):172-81.
doi: 10.1331/JAPhA.2013.12202.

Smartphone medication adherence apps: potential benefits to patients and providers

Lindsey Dayer  1 , Seth Heldenbrand, Paul Anderson, Paul O Gubbins, Bradley C Martin
Affiliations

Smartphone medication adherence apps: potential benefits to patients and providers

Lindsey Dayer et al. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2013 Mar-Apr.

Abstract

Objectives: To provide an overview of medication adherence, discuss the potential for smartphone medication adherence applications (adherence apps) to improve medication nonadherence, evaluate features of adherence apps across operating systems (OSs), and identify future opportunities and barriers facing adherence apps.

Practice description: Medication nonadherence is a common, complex, and costly problem that contributes to poor treatment outcomes and consumes health care resources. Nonadherence is difficult to measure precisely, and interventions to mitigate it have been largely unsuccessful.

Practice innovation: Using smartphone adherence apps represents a novel approach to improving adherence. This readily available technology offers many features that can be designed to help patients and health care providers improve medication-taking behavior.

Main outcome measures: Currently available apps were identified from the three main smartphone OSs (Apple, Android, and Blackberry). In addition, desirable features for adherence apps were identified and ranked by perceived importance to user desirability using a three-point rating system: 1, modest; 2, moderate; or 3, high. The 10 highest-rated apps were installed and subjected to user testing to assess app attributes using a standard medication regimen. RESULTS 160 adherence apps were identified and ranked. These apps were most prevalent for the Android OS. Adherence apps with advanced functionality were more prevalent on the Apple iPhone OS. Among all apps, MyMedSchedule, MyMeds, and RxmindMe rated the highest because of their basic medication reminder features coupled with their enhanced levels of functionality.

Conclusion: Despite being untested, medication apps represent a possible strategy that pharmacists can recommend to nonadherent patients and incorporate into their practice.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: The authors declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests in any product or service mentioned in this article, including grants, employment, gifts, stock holdings, or honoraria.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Attributes and ratings of the 10 apps that were installed and subjected to user testing Abbreviation used: HIPAA, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
Figure 2
Figure 2
MyMedSchedule, MyMeds, and MedSimple
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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