Toward digital-based interventions for medication adherence and safety.

INTRODUCTION: Adherence to the prescribed use of medications is a major problem for many patients. Whether intentional or unintentional, the failure to take medications as prescribed results in an array of health problems, hospitalizations, and increased health expenditures. AREAS COVERED: The paper reviews the different types of interventions to promote the appropriate use of medications from provider-based to digital-based interventions. These interventions often combine passive and interactive approaches and may include bio-surveillance/monitoring. Many studies have evaluated these interventions in a variety of conditions and patient population, demonstrating mixed outcomes. EXPERT OPINION: The complexity of the underlying causes of poor medication adherence may warrant personalized interventions that combine passive/interactive and personal/digital options. Enriching patient trials may enable observation of larger effect sizes.

Duke Scholars

Author Susanne B Haga Medicine, General Internal Medicine