Solution
Adherence as a behaviour
In order to design effective tools which support patients to achieve higher adherence levels and therefore improved treatment outcomes, adherence should be perceived as a behaviour which can be defined and influenced. Patients who are non-adherent may not be able to take their medication for practical reasons such as economic factors or lack of access to adequate healthcare services as well as lifestyle choices. However there are also socio-cultural beliefs and emotions which can drive patients to non-adherence by choice. To add complexity, we must recognise that the key factors which influence the rate of adherence in each patient are entirely individual.
Closing the gap between effective medical treatment and optimum health outcomes
Technology and behavioural science can now be effectively combined to provide digital interventions and help us learn about patient well-being and behaviour in order to support the design of tailored, personalised and adaptive therapy plans.
Capturing essential data and gaining insights into patient behaviour can help us learn what drives a particular patient to be non-adherent. Behavioural science can be used to design motivational tools and personalised educational content which can support a positive change in patient habits and ultimately improve adherence.
Empowering the autonomous patient with health tech
Wearables and healthcare apps help patients to become more informed and engaged in their health. Health tech platforms enable patients to collect data, observe and manage their progress, influence treatment plans, engage with educational content and share vital information with their healthcare provider on a regular basis without the need to visit the surgery. They also encourage healthier habits with progress reports, reminders, gaming content and social media integration.
Wearable technology is set to deliver unprecedented insights into patient well-being while at the same time streamlining time-consuming tasks related to surgery visits.
Closing the gap between effective medical treatment and optimum health outcomes
Technology and behavioural science can now be effectively combined to provide digital interventions and help us learn about patient well-being and behaviour in order to support the design of tailored, personalised and adaptive therapy plans.
Capturing essential data and gaining insights into patient behaviour can help us learn what drives a particular patient to be non-adherent. Behavioural science can be used to design motivational tools and personalised educational content which can support a positive change in patient habits and ultimately improve adherence.
Empowering the autonomous patient with health tech
Wearables and healthcare apps help patients to become more informed and engaged in their health. Health tech platforms enable patients to collect data, observe and manage their progress, influence treatment plans, engage with educational content and share vital information with their healthcare provider on a regular basis without the need to visit the surgery. They also encourage healthier habits with progress reports, reminders, gaming content and social media integration.
Wearable technology is set to deliver unprecedented insights into patient well-being while at the same time streamlining time-consuming tasks related to surgery visits.
A recent study* on patient perception of mobile apps for medication adherence, found that over 50% of participants perceived apps as useful in helping them remember medications. Patients named the following features as those of particular value: interactivity, individualisation of health monitoring, personalisation of medication information. The study concludes that mobile technology can increase patient engagement with medication regimes however behaviour change theory is critical in the design and implementation of digital interventions which successfully promote medication adherence.
*Perceptions and experiences of using mobile technology for medication adherence among older adults with coronary heart disease: A qualitative study.
Linda G Park, Fiona Ng, Janet K Shim, Abdelaziz Elnaggar, Ofelia Villero
First published May 20, 2020
The solution patients will love to use
A patient-centric digital platform powering remote monitoring and management of medication adherence combined with features such as a well-being and symptom tracker with the capacity of becoming a multidimensional tool for the enhancement of the core functions of healthcare.
