SBIR-STTR Award

Medication non-compliance is estimated to cost the US healthcare system an estimated $76.6 billion a year. Approximately 10% of hospital admissions are related to medication issues, costing up to $50 billion annually. Understanding the causes of noncompliance and identifying methods to help patients follow their regimens may improve health outcomes and reduce related costs. We propose to determine whether a medication management system improves compliance among elderly patients being treated for hypertension. The medication management system, called Emedonline, uses standard cellular phone technology to call patients at programmed intervals, gives voice, text, and graphic instructions for taking prescribed medications, and dispenses the medications. It focuses specifically on modifying social interaction factors and providing a tool to enhance the administration process. We have identified three key objectives toward achieving Phase I and Phase II goals: 1. Develop Emedonline to facilitate prescribing medication regimens for healthcare providers, and facilitate medication compliance for patients. 2. Assess the acceptability of the service among healthcare providers, pharmacists, and patients. 3. Evaluate effects on medication compliance, perceived social support, and feelings of control over health destiny. During Phase I, we will examine requirements through focus groups with a sample of healthcare providers, pharmacists, and patients; develop a prototype of the Emedonline system; conduct a concept test with the sample; and create detailed specifications for Phase II development.

Thesaurus Terms:
drug administration rate /duration, self medication, technology /technique development, telemedicine chemotherapy, hypertension, therapy compliance clinical research, human old age (65+), human subject

Medication is a relatively inexpensive and efficient therapeutic strategy for treating a number of illnesses. However, the average rate of compliance for patients on chronic therapies is about 50% after one year and declines over time. Approximately 10% of hospital admissions are related to medication issues, and 23% of nursing home admissions are related to medication problems. Medication noncompliance is estimated to cost the US healthcare system an estimated $76.6 billion a year. The elderly represent an important population among those receiving drug therapy. They receive 30% of all prescriptions and buy 40% of all over-the-counter drugs. In 2003, there were an estimated 36 million people age 65 or older in the United States, accounting for almost 13% of the total population. The inability to manage medications is one of the leading reasons why seniors need additional, often more expensive care. Understanding the causes of noncompliance and identifying methods to help patients follow their regimens may improve health outcomes and reduce related costs. Such a methodology would facilitate aging in place and may delay the need for admission to assisted living facilities. The health decision model suggests that noncompliant behavior is multi-factorial. By modifying general and specific health beliefs, enhancing social interaction factors, and optimizing administration, compliance can be improved. In Phase II, we propose to determine whether the eMedonline medication management system improves compliance among elderly patients being treated for hypertension. We will evaluate effects on medication compliance, perceived social support, and feelings of control over health destiny in a sample of patients. We will also evaluate the acceptability of the system in a sample of healthcare providers, pharmacists, and caregivers.

Thesaurus Terms:
Internet, Chemotherapy, Computer Assisted Patient Care, Geriatrics, Home Health Care, Outpatient Care, Patient Monitoring Device, Technology /Technique Development, Telemedicine, Therapy Compliance Blood Pressure, Cardiovascular Disorder Chemotherapy, Caregiver, Clinical Trial, Health Care Personnel, Hypertension, Locus Of Control, Pharmacist, Self Care Behavioral /Social Science Research Tag, Clinical Research, Human Subject