JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Globally, hypertension control rates are suboptimal despite clinically effective anti-hypertensive drug therapy. Patient failure to take medication as prescribed (ie, non-adherence) is the most important factor contributing to poor control. Smartphone applications (apps) can facilitate the delivery of empirically established intervention components to improve adherence and may provide a scalable, usable and feasible method to deliver self-management support.

Objective:

The aim of the present study was to explore patients’ experiences of the usability and feasibility of smartphone apps to support self-management and improve medication adherence in hypertension.

Methods:

A qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Eleven patients with hypertension from the West of Ireland were sampled purposively and interviewed about their experience of using a self-management app for a 4-week period which included two key functionalities: self-monitoring of blood pressure and medication reminders. Thematic analysis was carried out on the semi-structured interview data.

Results:

Participants ranged from 43 to 74 years (M= 62 years). Three themes were identified: “digital empowerment”, “human versus digital systems” and “digital sustainability”. While patients experience of using the technology to self-monitor blood pressure was one of empowerment, characterized by an enhanced insight and understanding into their condition, control and personal responsibility, the reminder function was only acceptable for patients who reported unintentional non-adherence to treatment. Patients experienced the app as a sustainable tool to support self-management and found it easy to use, including those with limited technological competence.

Conclusions:

The current findings provide new insights into the experience of using apps to support medication adherence in hypertension and challenge the perspective that the use of these technologies can add to patient burden of treatment.