Adherence Monitoring and E-Health: How Clinicians and Researchers Can Use Technology to Promote Inhaler Adherence for Asthma

Amy Hai Yan Chan, Helen Kathryn Reddel, Andrea Apter, Michelle Eakin, Kristin Riekert, Juliet Michelle Foster

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

72 Scopus citations

Abstract

In the past decade, rapid technological developments have advanced electronic monitoring devices (EMD) for asthma inhalers beyond simple recording of actuations to providing adherence promotion features and detailed information about patterns of medication use. This article describes currently available EMDs, discusses their utility and limitations in assessing adherence, and describes the potential for EMD-based adherence promotion interventions in clinical settings. To date, the main use of EMDs has been in clinical research. In selected populations, simple EMD-based adherence interventions, delivered either through clinician-to-patient feedback about medication use or by direct-to-patient reminders for missed doses, can significantly improve adherence. Further work is now needed to determine the impact of EMDs on clinical outcomes and their cost-effectiveness and feasibility for different clinical settings, including in disadvantaged populations. If this evidence can be provided, then the use of EMDs could expand into the management of asthma in populations with high health care costs, eg, severe asthma. In the future, medication monitoring could help distinguish poor treatment response from poor adherence, guide prescribing decisions, and prompt providers to discuss barriers to adherence; electronic health records may provide the gateway for integrating medication-use monitoring into digital chronic care management.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)446-454
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice
Volume1
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2013

Keywords

  • Adherence
  • Asthma
  • Electronic medication monitoring
  • Materials testing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy

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