Hassan Ahmed, Davies Non
School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales.
North Wales Medical School, Bangor University, Bangor, Wales.
Patient Prefer Adherence. 2024 Mar 21;18:721-731. doi: 10.2147/PPA.S437822. eCollection 2024.
The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the way healthcare is delivered by the increased utilisation of eHealth tools to deliver remote patient consultations. These eHealth tools served various functions during COVID-19 including monitoring and surveillance of patients. Therefore, assessment of digital health interventions for monitoring medication adherence is crucial to maximise the potential benefits of eHealth. The aim of this study is to understand the perspectives of experts in medication adherence around eHealth interventions used to aid adherence during COVID-19.
The study was exploratory and utilized a mixed-method approach. Data was gathered from a survey distributed by the International society for Medication Adherence, and from arranging subsequent structured interviews. Purposive sampling was used to collect data from individuals who were rich in knowledge about the field of medication adherence. Template analysis was used to analyse the collected data.
Twenty-one participants responded to the survey and 6 completed the interviews. Results showed that eHealth tools reduced barriers to medication adherence by improving health literacy of patients. The main strengths of eHealth technology used in COVID-19 highlighted by participants were convenience and user empowerment. Moreover, weaknesses and barriers included lack of cooperation between technology providers, lack of awareness of doctors about eHealth and patient's digital health literacy.
The increased utility of eHealth tools during COVID-19 highlighted their vital role in aiding medication adherence of patients. These technologies have both decreased and increased barriers to medication adherence through numerous ways. Future directions should focus on gaining the perspectives of patients on the use of eHealth interventions and its role in aiding medication adherence.
新冠疫情改变了医疗服务的提供方式，通过更多地利用电子健康工具来提供远程患者咨询。这些电子健康工具在新冠疫情期间发挥了多种功能，包括对患者的监测和监视。因此，评估用于监测药物依从性的数字健康干预措施对于最大限度地发挥电子健康的潜在益处至关重要。本研究的目的是了解药物依从性领域的专家对新冠疫情期间用于辅助依从性的电子健康干预措施的看法。
本研究具有探索性，采用了混合方法。数据收集自国际药物依从性协会分发的一项调查，以及随后安排的结构化访谈。采用目的抽样法从对药物依从性领域有丰富知识的个人那里收集数据。使用模板分析法对收集到的数据进行分析。
21名参与者回复了调查，6人完成了访谈。结果表明，电子健康工具通过提高患者的健康素养降低了药物依从性的障碍。参与者强调的新冠疫情期间使用的电子健康技术的主要优势是便利性和增强用户能力。此外，弱点和障碍包括技术供应商之间缺乏合作、医生对电子健康的认识不足以及患者的数字健康素养。
新冠疫情期间电子健康工具的使用增加凸显了它们在辅助患者药物依从性方面的重要作用。这些技术通过多种方式既减少了也增加了药物依从性的障碍。未来的方向应侧重于了解患者对使用电子健康干预措施及其在辅助药物依从性方面的作用的看法。
