Consistent medication adherence is critical in effectively managing chronic conditions. However, adherence to chronic care medications is typically around 50%. And — research shows that 80% or more medication adherence rates are generally needed for optimal therapeutic efficacy. This article explores patients’ challenges in adhering to medication regimens and the impact on health outcomes and healthcare costs. We also examine how smart pill box technologies can improve medication adherence tracking through remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM).
Challenges in Chronic Care Medication Adherence
Lifestyle changes, treatment, and medication adherence play a significant role in managing chronic conditions. COPD is a chronic disease known to require an intricate medication regimen along with significant lifestyle changes. Patients with COPD often struggle the most with adhering to medication schedules. Medication adherence rates for this population fall within the 10% and 40% range. This creates a significant challenge in healthcare, as medication nonadherence can lead to poor patient outcomes, preventable hospitalizations, and significant healthcare costs.
The following section will cover medication nonadherence and intervention programs aimed at methods for medication adherence tracking.
Medication Adherence Tracking
Medication nonadherence occurs when a patient does not take a prescribed medicine or follow their healthcare provider’s instructions for taking the medicine. A variety of barriers may prevent patients from taking their medications. Some commonly cited reasons patients are non-adherent include cost concerns, forgetfulness, insufficient education on the medication’s importance, and adverse side effects.
The consequences of medication nonadherence extend to health risks and higher mortality rates. Studies show hospital admission rates spike by nearly 70% for non-adherent patients managing chronic conditions. Medication non-adherence also strains the healthcare system, costing the United States billions of dollars annually.
To tackle non-adherence, healthcare organizations have implemented various combined intervention programs, including counseling, synchronized refill schedules, awareness campaigns, and follow-ups. These education initiatives emphasize the importance of adhering to medications. Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) technology solutions like apps, smart pill bottles, and smart pillboxes provide dosage reminders.
The following section covers smart pill box technologies and how their advanced features help patients take their medications properly.
What is a Smart Pill Box?
A standard pill box holds medications and the day and time to take them, while a smart pill box can do more than store the pills. A smart pill box represents one solution to address the medication adherence challenges faced by chronic care patients. A digital pill box uses technology to remind patients when it’s time to take their pills. This technology can alert the patient’s healthcare provider if a dose is missed.
The Tenovi Pillbox is a smart pill box that resembles a familiar standard pillbox, allowing easy integration into chronic care patients’ daily routines. Built-in sensors automatically detect when pill compartments are opened or refilled. Cellular connectivity allows the device to transmit that adherence data automatically and securely through the Tenovi Cellular Gateway to a healthcare provider.
With smart Pill box technology, healthcare providers monitor their patients’ medication-taking behavior remotely without any additional effort from the patient. By eliminating the need for apps, pairing, or extra steps, the Tenovi Pillbox improves potential barriers to adherence so patients can focus on their treatment rather than the technology. Visual reminders tell the patient when it’s time to take their medication, and automatic data transmission creates a patient-centric approach to chronic care management.
Medication Adherence Tracking and Smart Pill Box Technology
Medication nonadherence can lead to poor health outcomes, increased hospitalizations, and substantial avoidable costs for the healthcare system. To combat this issue, smart pill box technologies represent a user-friendly and automated solution that addresses the critical challenge of medication adherence tracking.
The Tenovi Pillbox seamlessly integrates into patients’ routines, providing visual reminders and automatically transmitting adherence data to providers. By eliminating barriers and enabling a patient-centric approach, smart pill box technologies hold immense potential for improving medication adherence tracking, particularly for conditions like COPD, where adherence rates are critically low.
