Question

Henry Brown is a 67 year-old American living in the mid Central United States. He's prescribed multiple medications for hypertension, depression, diabetes mellitus type 2, and a recent bacterial infection. Henry is not alone. In fact, estimates suggest that at least 70% of the US aging population is prescribed multiple medications due to the rapid increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases. This presents a major challenge for our health care system. Most medications require consistent adherence to the prescribed regimen for them to achieve therapeutic effect. Yet it is known that adherence rates remain suboptimal across population and disease States.

Because Henry uses a smartphone, his primary health care provider might recommend a mobile app called the Medication Tracker to help him manage his complicated medication regimen. Henry's primary health care provider recognizes apps have the potential to address the specific needs of patients in a manner that is timely, cost-effective, informative, and engaging. This app can be configured to deliver automated, personalized messaging to remind Henry to take his medication; can help Henry reinforce good self-management behaviors; can provide education on his chronic diseases; and can provide information about his medications, such as black box warnings, side effects, and contraindications for use.

• Describe the factors that Henry's primary healthcare provider should consider when selecting an app for him.
• Identify the features most important to facilitate the primary treatment goals of Henry and his primary provider.
• Describe how Henry should communicate his activities with the app to his primary health care provider.
• List some risks for Henry associated with using his app.
• In a hospital setting, what are the key questions that the C-suite (CEO, CFO, CNO, CIO) should ask about using social media?

Answer 1

Factors should consider when selecting the mobile app:

Even though there are many benefits in the mobile apps, still it has some challenges in practice. So before using the mobile health apps, one must consider the following things.

Misinterpretation of Data:

The primary healthcare provider must concern about the misinterpret of data from the devices. The feature of the app that makes misunderstanding of similar words. For EX: med, medications, remind, reminder, take, therapy.

Efficiency:

The ease of use of mobile apps, mode of reminders, acceptability, usefulness, should be checked before using. Whether it helps to control blood glucose level and dose tracking capabilities are available in the app. the ratings of the mobile app(MARS) and reviews from others should be considered.

Interconnectivity:

The interoperability of the app, storage of data, the prescription database should be analyzed before choosing the app. the facility to transfer the data from the devices to another system.

Data Risks:

The security and protection of data from the third party. Licensing issues and the legal issues of the data protection and protocols for interpretation of data should be closely monitored. Further, the FDA approval, rules, and regulations of the app, the quality, and functions of the app should be followed.

The need for important features:

The mobile should have the features of

• the number of medication should be included.
• setting timer for medication and reminder of medication
• step by step sequence of medication to follow.
• medication history and medication databases.
• flexible data scheduling with the snooze option.
• Data privacy with password protection.
• Multiple management support.

Communication of activities within the app:

The sensor in the apps has the support for sharing of information within the primary care provider. The activities can be conveyed as voice exchange, images, or through the pictures or images to the primary health care provider. Henry can also be sent e-mails to the provider about the medication therapy and its outcomes. The primary care provider can positively approach the patient and the issues within the patient, and improve the adherence to treatment regimen. the primary health care provider can contact with patient frequently through text messaging.

Risks of the Mobile app:

• Mobile phone may get lost or stolen.
• Increases the costs of the client in using of apps.
• Needs reliable charge of devices which is difficult during traveling.
• Needs advanced phone features.
• Unable to use in local languages.
• digital illiteracy of the client.

Key questions should ask C-suite:

• Describe the components of mobile app intervention in the hospital setting?
• Describe the role of the mobile app in clinical practice?
• what are the challenges in the mobile app settings?
• Explain the benefits of medication tracker in patient care?