Toward digital-based interventions for medication adherence and safety

ABSTRACT Introduction Adherence to the prescribed use of medications is a major problem for many patients. Whether intentional or unintentional, the failure to take medications as prescribed results in an array of health problems, hospitalizations, and increased health expenditures. Areas covered The paper reviews the different types of interventions to promote the appropriate use of medications from provider-based to digital-based interventions. These interventions often combine passive and interactive approaches and may include bio-surveillance/monitoring. Many studies have evaluated these interventions in a variety of conditions and patient population, demonstrating mixed outcomes. Expert opinion The complexity of the underlying causes of poor medication adherence may warrant personalized interventions that combine passive/interactive and personal/digital options. Enriching patient trials may enable observation of larger effect sizes.