Kidney transplant recipients' attitudes about using mobile health technology for managing and monitoring medication therapy.

OBJECTIVES

To assess smartphone ownership, use of mobile health (mHealth) applications, and willingness to use this technology to facilitate medication management after kidney transplantation.

METHODS

A survey was developed with the use of previously validated questions and administered to stable adult kidney recipients from May to July 2015. Descriptive and comparative statistics were used to assess willingness to utilize mHealth technology as it related to sociodemographics, medication adherence, and medication side effects. Comparisons were also made to a survey administered in 2012. The primary outcome was the incidence of cell phone and smartphone ownership, willingness to use mHealth, immunosuppressant side effects, and self-reported nonadherence.

RESULTS

A total of 142 patients were approached, and 139 (98%) agreed to participate; 96% of respondents indicated mobile phone ownership, 61% owned a smartphone, 30% had prior knowledge of mHealth, and 7% were already using an mHealth app; 78% reported a positive attitude toward the use of mHealth for medication management. Smartphone ownership has nearly doubled since 2012 (61% vs. 35%; P <0.001). Patients <55 years of age were more likely to own smartphones (75% vs. 46%; P <0.001) and to strongly agree with the use of mHealth (62% vs. 36%; P = 0.015). Self-reported nonadherence or severe medication side effects did not appreciably influence a patient's willingness to use mHealth.

CONCLUSION

Among recipients of kidney transplants, smartphone ownership has dramatically increased, and recipients have a positive attitude toward the use of mHealth for medication management.