What is the Impact of Mobile Technology on Medication Adherence?

As we have mentioned in our previous articles, healthcare is rapidly adopting new technologies to integrate data analytics for providers, streamline processes within medical practices, and help patients better manage their health.  With new digital innovations being introduced daily, it is now possible for consumers to better manage their own health and wellness through their portal devices accessing medical information, tracking their daily health, and even monitoring their vital signs.  

Seeing this transformation not only in specialty pharmacy, but heathcare as a whole, we performed a pilot study to see the influence of SMS (short message service), or more commonly called, text messaging, on adherence in the specialty population specifically related to refill rates.  Our hypothesis was that bi-directional SMS technology will improve patient and clinician engagement resulting in increased medication adherence.  After evaluting 94 patients, we saw a significant positive impact on refill rates.  Download the case study to learn more about the evaluation and view the full results.

What does this mean for the patient?

• Easily manage refills to ensure medication dosages are not missed
• Taking ownership of healthcare and being in better control of health outcomes
• Avoid unnecessary trips to the doctor, or even the hospital, due to non-adherence

What does this mean for the provider?

• Patients can more easily manage their own medications, saving your practice time and resources
• Better communication with their specialty pharmacy on prescription updates and reminders
• Improved patient health through increased medication adherence

In order to help improve patient health and increase medication adherence, we have built in a text messaging component to our mobile app.  For any patient who downloads the mobile app, they have access to refill their prescriptions, receive prescription updates, set medication reminders, and manage their doctor information.  With 2/3 of Americans owning a smart phone, we believe this is one of the most effective ways to communicate with patients in a manner that is most convenient for them.

We invite you to download our latest case study on the impact of SMS in medication adherence, and to learn more about our new pharmacy mobile app.