Implementation of a Medication Reminder App to Improve Medication Adherence.

Abstract

Background: Adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at risk for higher rates of substance use, suicide attempts, and accidental injuries than their non-ADHD peers. Treatment can be challenging due to the core features of ADHD which include forgetting to take medication, with approximately 42% of patients not refilling their medications as prescribed. Using a medication reminder app is a strategy shown to improve medication nonadherence. Objective: The aim of this article is to analyze the effects that a medication reminder app will have on medication adherence for adults with ADHD. Methods: Documentation of days between stimulant refills occurred for 3 months prior to the intervention and again for 3 months following the intervention. Results: Mean days between refills preintervention was 46. The mean days between refills postintervention was 34 days. Paired t test compared refill frequency pre- and postintervention indicating statistically significant improvement (p = .02). An effect size of 0.96 shows that the use of the app influenced the number of days between refills in this population. Conclusions: This project demonstrated that using a medication reminder app increases medication adherence. Implications for Nursing: Medication reminder apps can positively impact medication adherence and are easily implemented.