Mytherapy: Medication Reminder mobile phone application use to improve medication adherence and glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Date
2021
Authors
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Background: Approximately 10% of the U.S. population (30.3 million) are reported to have type 2 diabetes (T2DM), resulting in a cost of $407.9 billion dollars in medical and non-medical costs annually. Successful treatment requires a multifactorial approach including patients’ self-beliefs regarding medication adherence. A mobile application (app) to improve medication adherence and HbA1c values, and therefore long-term complications, becomes a valuable resource. ☐ Purpose: The objective of this project was to encourage the use of a mobile phone app for patients with uncontrolled T2DM in a primary care practice to improve medication adherence and HbA1c values. ☐ Theoretical Framework: Since health motivation is the central focus, the Health Beliefs Model (HBM) is useful for addressing problematic behaviors that can cause health concerns (e.g., medication non-adherence and not achieving optimal glycemic control [HbA1c < 6.5%]) in individuals with T2DM. ☐ Methods: The MyTherapy: Medication Reminder℗ (MyTherapy) mobile phone app was utilized by patients with uncontrolled T2DM in a primary care office. Data were collected in the form of Adherence to Refills Medications scales (ARMS-D), Opinions on the Use of an mHealth App questionnaires, monthly medication intake percentages from the MyTherapy app, and Pre- and Post-Project HbA1c values. ☐ Results: Medication intake percentages from the MyTherapy app increased among all participants from October 2020 to December 2020 with a P-value of p = .024. The Pre- and Post-Project Questionnaire ARMS-D medication adherence scores among all participants showed a p = .18. The Pre- and Post-Project HbA1c values among all participants showed a p = .38, with an average -.10% percent change. ☐ Conclusion and Implications: The data is suggestive that the utilization of a mobile app improved average medication intake percentages, and improved average ARMS-D medication adherence scores in five out of eight participants. The data suggested an average decrease in HbA1c values. Further investigation in the use of mobile phone-based apps for medication adherence is needed. ☐ Barriers to Implementation: Limitations of this project included a limited number of participants (eight total), and implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic could have decreased recruitment by decreasing the number of in-office visits, routine T2DM lab-follow up (e.g., HbA1c), and refilling prescribed medications due to social distancing. ☐ Keywords: Type 2 diabetes, medication adherence, HbA1c, mobile phone, application
Description
Keywords
Application, HbA1c, Medication adherence, Mobile phone, Type 2 diabetes