Digital Medication Adherence Support: Could Healthcare Providers Recommend Mobile Health Apps?

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Version: Final published version
License: CC BY 4.0
Serval ID
serval:BIB_205D134FE24B
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Digital Medication Adherence Support: Could Healthcare Providers Recommend Mobile Health Apps?
Journal
Frontiers in medical technology
Author(s)
Backes C., Moyano C., Rimaud C., Bienvenu C., Schneider M.P.
ISSN
2673-3129 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
2673-3129
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2020
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
2
Pages
616242
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article
Publication Status: epublish
Abstract
Adherence to prescribed medication is suboptimal in 50% of the chronic population, resulting in negative medical and economic outcomes. With the widespread use of mobile phones worldwide, medication adherence apps for mobile phones become promising medication adherence aids thanks to simplicity, user-friendliness, and accessibility for the public. Yet, until today, there is insufficient evidence in favor of using mobile health (mHealth) apps to increase medication adherence. This study aims to develop a methodology for scientific and end-user (patient) mHealth evaluation (a) to identify medication adherence apps search terms, (b) to evaluate identified apps based on scientific criteria, and (c) to report best smartphone apps evaluated by patients. Search terms were identified via literature review and expertise. Firstly, an online questionnaire was developed to identify frequently used search terms by recruited patients. Related medication adherence apps were identified and selected using predefined inclusion criteria. Secondly, identified apps were evaluated thanks to a scientific evaluation method and a created online questionnaire for patient feedback. Recruited patients were invited to test and evaluate the selected apps. Out of 1,833 free-of-charge and 307 paid apps identified, only four free-of-charge and three paid apps remained included in the study after eligibility criteria. None of the selected app reached a high score. Looking at the overall scores, Medisafe (59%), MyTherapy (56%), and Meds on time (44%) received the highest scores in the scientific app evaluation. In the patient evaluation, Dosecast (3.83 out of five points), Medisafe (3.62), and SwissMeds (3.50) received the highest scores. None of the apps in this research has undergone a process for certification, for example, CE marking, through a notified body. Security and data protection aspects of existing apps highly contribute to these low evaluation scores through little information on patient's data processing and storage. This might be corrected through the introduction of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Economic Area (EEA) and more scrutiny through regulatory bodies in the EU/EEA and the USA. None of the applications should be recommended by healthcare providers. In addition, clinical studies with chronic patients are necessary to measure long-term app impacts.
Keywords
app evaluation, chronic diseases, eHealth, healthcare provider, mHealth, medication adherence, pharmacists
Pubmed
Open Access
Yes
Create date
31/01/2022 15:00
Last modification date
08/08/2024 6:30
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