Assessment of medication adherence app features, functionality, and health literacy level and the creation of a searchable Web-based adherence app resource for health care professionals and patients.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the features and level of health literacy (HL) of available medication adherence apps and to create a searchable website to assist health care providers (HCP) and patients identify quality adherence apps.

PRACTICE DESCRIPTION

Medication nonadherence continues to be a significant problem and leads to poor health outcomes and avoidable health care expense. The average adherence rate for chronic medications, regardless of disease state, is approximately 50% leaving significant room for improvement.

PRACTICE INNOVATION

Smartphone adherence apps are a novel resource to address medication nonadherence. With widespread smartphone use and the growing number of adherence apps, both HCP and patients should be able to identify quality adherence apps to maximize potential benefits.

INTERVENTIONS

Assess the features, functionality and level of HL of available adherence apps and create a searchable website to help both HCP and patients identify quality adherence apps.

EVALUATION

Online marketplaces (iTunes, Google Play, Blackberry) were searched in June of 2014 to identify available adherence apps. Online descriptions were recorded and scored based on 28 author-identified features across 4 domains. The 100 highest-scoring apps were user-tested with a standardized regimen to evaluate their functionality and level of HL.

RESULTS

461 adherence apps were identified. 367 unique apps were evaluated after removing "Lite/Trial" versions. The median initial score based on descriptions was 15 (max of 68; range: 3 to 47). Only 77 apps of the top 100 highest-scoring apps completed user-testing and HL evaluations. The median overall user-testing score was 30 (max of 73; range: 16 to 55).

CONCLUSION

App design, functionality, and level of HL varies widely among adherence apps. While no app is perfect, several apps scored highly across all domains. The website www.medappfinder.com is a searchable tool that helps HCP and patients identify quality apps in a crowded marketplace.