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Review
. 2021 Mar;16(1):213-222.
doi: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2020.10.010. Epub 2020 Dec 7.

Can Smartphone Apps Assist People with Serious Mental Illness in Taking Medications as Prescribed?

Cynthia L Bianco  1 , Amanda L Myers  2 , Stephen Smagula  3 , Karen L Fortuna  4
Affiliations
Review

Can Smartphone Apps Assist People with Serious Mental Illness in Taking Medications as Prescribed?

Cynthia L Bianco et al. Sleep Med Clin. 2021 Mar.

Abstract

Adherence research commonly happens in a silo, focused on a particular disease state or type of therapy. Learning from outside disciplines can bring new insights and ideas. This article presents adherence research as related to people with a diagnosis of a serious mental illness (SMI) and medication adherence through smartphone applications (apps). Individuals with SMI have high rates of not taking medication, increasing risks of relapse and hospitalization. Advances in technology may be advantageous in promoting taking medication. Smartphones apps have been designed for people with SMI. Further research is needed to evaluate their efficacy on improving rates of taking medication.

Keywords: Medication; Serious mental illness; Smartphone apps; Treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure The authors have no relevant financial disclosures to report. Dr K.L. Fortuna was funded by a K01 award from the National Institute of Mental Health (K01MH117496).

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