The user experience of a mobile medication support application and its impact on medication compliance for people living with HIV: Results of a 12-week pilot study.

Abstract

Continuity of care between hospital visits through mobile application (app) creates new opportunities for people living with HIV (PLWH) in situations where face-to-face interventions are difficult. This study investigated the user experience of a mobile medication support app and its impact on improving anti-retroviral therapy (ART) compliance and facilitating teleconsultation between PLWH and medical staff. Two clinics in Japan were invited to participate in a 12-week trial of the medication support app between July 27, 2018, and March 31, 2021. Medication compliance was assessed based on responses to scheduled medication reminders; Users, including PLWH and medical staff, were asked to complete an in-app satisfaction survey to rate their level of satisfaction with the app and its specific features on a 5-point Likert scale. A total of 10 PLWH and 11 medical staff were included in this study. During the trial, the medication compliance rate was 90%, and the mean response rates to symptom and medication alerts were 73% and 76%, respectively. Overall, 81% of PLWH users and 65% of medical staff were satisfied with the medication support app. Over 80% of medical staff and PLWH users were satisfied with the ability to record medication taken, record symptoms of concern, and enquire about drug combinations. Further, 90% of PLWH users were satisfied with the communication function with medical staff. Our preliminary results demonstrate the feasibility of this medication support app in improving medication compliance and enhancing communication between PLWH and medical staff.