Methods Inf Med 2017; 56(05): 351-359
DOI: 10.3414/ME17-01-0045
Paper
Schattauer GmbH

Development and Usability of a Smartphone Application for Tracking Antiretroviral Medication Refill Data for Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Authors

  • Dagan Coppock

    1   University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
  • Dikai Zambo

    2   Botswana-UPenn Partnership, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
  • Dumisani Moyo

    3   Boitekanelo College, Gaborone, Botswana
  • Gobe Tanthuma

    4   Institute of Health Sciences, Princess Marina Hospital Campus, Gaborone, Botswana
  • Jennifer Chapman

    5   Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
  • Vincent Lo Re III

    1   University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
    6   University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Clinical Center for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Philadelphia, PA, USA
  • Amelia Graziani

    1   University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
    7   University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacy, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
  • Elizabeth Lowenthal

    5   Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
    6   University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Clinical Center for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Philadelphia, PA, USA
  • Nancy Hanrahan

    8   Northeastern University, Bouve College of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, Boston, MA, USA
  • Ryan Littman-Quinn

    2   Botswana-UPenn Partnership, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
  • Carrie Kovarik

    2   Botswana-UPenn Partnership, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
    9   University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Philadelphia, PA, USA
  • Dolores Albarracin

    10   University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Psychology, Champaign, IL, USA
  • John H. Holmes

    6   University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Clinical Center for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Philadelphia, PA, USA
  • Robert Gross

    1   University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
    6   University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Clinical Center for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Funding Dr. Coppock receives research and training support through an NIH Award: T32-AI055435. Dr. Lowenthal receives research and career development support through an NIH Career Development Award: K23-MH095669. Dr. Gross receives support for global health research and mentorship through an NIH Award: D43-TW009781. This research was also supported by the Penn Center for AIDS Research (CFAR).
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

received: 10. Mai 2017

accepted in revised form: 01. September 2017

Publikationsdatum:
24. Januar 2018 (online)

Preview

Summary

Background: Adherence to antiretroviral medication leads to HIV suppression and decreased morbidity and mortality. In resource- limited settings, the dependence on paper medical charts and unstable electronic health records creates a challenge to monitoring medication adherence. A pharmacy-based strategy that utilizes existing cellular phone infrastructure may lead to a more stable system to monitor adherence.

Objectives: To develop and evaluate the usability of a smartphone-based software application (app) for tracking antiretroviral medication refill data in a resource-limited setting.

Methods: A pharmacy-based smartphone app for tracking HIV medication adherence was developed through a multi-step rapid prototyping process. The usability of the app was assessed during the daily activities of pharmacy dispensers at HIV clinics in and around Gaborone, Botswana using a validated computer usability survey.

Results: The study demonstrated the effective development of and favorable end-user responses to a pharmacy-based HIV medication adherence app. End users had suggestions for minor changes to improve the app’s functionality.

Conclusions: In resource-limited settings where electronic health record support is limited, such a system was feasible and appealing. In the future, this system may allow for improved HIV medication adherence tracking and be applied to medications beyond antiretrovirals.