Accepted for/Published in: JMIR mHealth and uHealth
Date Submitted: Jun 21, 2017
Open Peer Review Period: Jun 22, 2017 - Nov 22, 2017
Date Accepted: Apr 18, 2019
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
MyMate&Me:Using the Behaviour Change Wheel to develop a medication adherence app for children with sickle cell disease: Qualitative Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Young people with sickle cell disease (SCD) often demonstrate low medication adherence and low motivation for effectively self-managing their condition. The growing sophistication of smartphones and their popularity among young people render them a promising platform for increasing medication adherence. However, so far, few apps targeting SCD have been developed from research with the target population and underpinned with theory and evidence.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to develop a theory and evidence-based medication adherence app to support children and adolescents with sickle-cell disease.
Methods:
The mhealth development approach drew on a theoretically-based intervention development framework (The Behaviour Change Wheel). A Review of the literature, along with 10 interviews with children and adolescents with sickle-cell disease aged 12-18 years, and consultation with experts, informed app development. Thematic analysis of interviews provided relevant theoretical and evidence based components to underpin the design and development of the app.
Results:
Findings suggested that some patients’ had lapses in their memory for taking their medication (Capability); variation in beliefs towards the effectiveness of medication and confidence in self-managing their condition (Motivation); a limited time to take medication and; barriers and enablers within the changing context of social support during the transition into adulthood (Opportunity). Steps were taken to select the appropriate behavioural change components (involving behaviour change techniques such as Information on antecedents, Prompts/Cues; Self-monitoring of the behaviour; Social support) and translate them into app features designed to overcome these barriers to medication adherence.
Conclusions:
Patients with SCD have complex barriers to medication adherence necessitating the need for comprehensive models of behaviour change to analyse the problem. Children and adolescents require an app that goes beyond simple medication reminders: taking into account patient’s beliefs, emotions and environmental barriers to medication adherence. Clinical Trial: N/A
Citation
Per the author's request the PDF is not available.
Copyright
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