Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are increasingly being used within healthcare for various purposes, including helping patients to adhere to drug regimens. The aim of this narrative review was to describe: (1) studies on AI tools that can be used to measure and increase medication adherence in patients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs); (2) the benefits of using AI for these purposes; (3) challenges of the use of AI in healthcare; and (4) priorities for future research. We discuss the current AI technologies, including mobile phone applications, reminder systems, tools for patient empowerment, instruments that can be used in integrated care, and machine learning. The use of AI may be key to understanding the complex interplay of factors that underly medication non-adherence in NCD patients. AI-assisted interventions aiming to improve communication between patients and physicians, monitor drug consumption, empower patients, and ultimately, increase adherence levels may lead to better clinical outcomes and increase the quality of life of NCD patients. However, the use of AI in healthcare is challenged by numerous factors; the characteristics of users can impact the effectiveness of an AI tool, which may lead to further inequalities in healthcare, and there may be concerns that it could depersonalize medicine. The success and widespread use of AI technologies will depend on data storage capacity, processing power, and other infrastructure capacities within healthcare systems. Research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of AI solutions in different patient groups and establish the barriers to widespread adoption, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to a rapid increase in the use and development of digital health technologies.
Highlights
Non-communicable DiseasesNon-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes, are rising in prevalence due to multiple factors, including increased life expectancy, reduced premature mortality, and an increase in preventable risk factors [1]
We focus on how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to measure and increase medication adherence in patients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs)
We used search terms that could identify a wide range of topics, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital health, healthcare, disease management, smartphone applications, apps, drug reminders, reminder systems, adherence, medication adherence, drug adherence, compliance, noncommunicable diseases, NCDs, and chronic disease, and search terms for specific NCDs, such as diabetes, stroke, and cardiovascular disease
Summary
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes, are rising in prevalence due to multiple factors, including increased life expectancy, reduced premature mortality, and an increase in preventable risk factors [1]. A complex range of factors contributes to poor medication adherence: patient-related factors (such as health literacy, multimorbidity, and lack of involvement in the treatment decision-making process), physician-related (such as communication barriers or having multiple physicians providing care), and healthcare system–related (including limited access to care and lack of health information technologies) [13]. AI has a range of potential uses, including aiding in the early detection, diagnosis, management, and treatment of medical conditions, improving patient engagement and increasing medication adherence, elderly assistance, health promotion, administering counseling, administrative activities, and even supporting education and learning for healthcare professionals [19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27].
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