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Methods Inf Med 2017; 56(05): 351-359
DOI: 10.3414/ME17-01-0045
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Schattauer GmbH

Development and Usability of a Smartphone Application for Tracking Antiretroviral Medication Refill Data for Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Dagan Coppock
1   University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
,
Dikai Zambo
2   Botswana-UPenn Partnership, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
,
Dumisani Moyo
3   Boitekanelo College, Gaborone, Botswana
,
Gobe Tanthuma
4   Institute of Health Sciences, Princess Marina Hospital Campus, Gaborone, Botswana
,
Jennifer Chapman
5   Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
,
Vincent Lo Re III
1   University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
6   University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Clinical Center for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Philadelphia, PA, USA
,
Amelia Graziani
1   University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
7   University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacy, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
,
Elizabeth Lowenthal
5   Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
6   University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Clinical Center for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Philadelphia, PA, USA
,
Nancy Hanrahan
8   Northeastern University, Bouve College of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, Boston, MA, USA
,
Ryan Littman-Quinn
2   Botswana-UPenn Partnership, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
,
Carrie Kovarik
2   Botswana-UPenn Partnership, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
9   University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Philadelphia, PA, USA
,
Dolores Albarracin
10   University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Psychology, Champaign, IL, USA
,
John H. Holmes
6   University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Clinical Center for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Philadelphia, PA, USA
,
Robert Gross
1   University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
6   University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Clinical Center for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Philadelphia, PA, USA
› Author Affiliations Funding Dr. Coppock receives research and training support through an NIH Award: T32-AI055435. Dr. Lowenthal receives research and career development support through an NIH Career Development Award: K23-MH095669. Dr. Gross receives support for global health research and mentorship through an NIH Award: D43-TW009781. This research was also supported by the Penn Center for AIDS Research (CFAR).
Further Information

Publication History

received: 10 May 2017

accepted in revised form: 01 September 2017

Publication Date:
24 January 2018 (online)

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Summary

Background: Adherence to antiretroviral medication leads to HIV suppression and decreased morbidity and mortality. In resource- limited settings, the dependence on paper medical charts and unstable electronic health records creates a challenge to monitoring medication adherence. A pharmacy-based strategy that utilizes existing cellular phone infrastructure may lead to a more stable system to monitor adherence.

Objectives: To develop and evaluate the usability of a smartphone-based software application (app) for tracking antiretroviral medication refill data in a resource-limited setting.

Methods: A pharmacy-based smartphone app for tracking HIV medication adherence was developed through a multi-step rapid prototyping process. The usability of the app was assessed during the daily activities of pharmacy dispensers at HIV clinics in and around Gaborone, Botswana using a validated computer usability survey.

Results: The study demonstrated the effective development of and favorable end-user responses to a pharmacy-based HIV medication adherence app. End users had suggestions for minor changes to improve the app’s functionality.

Conclusions: In resource-limited settings where electronic health record support is limited, such a system was feasible and appealing. In the future, this system may allow for improved HIV medication adherence tracking and be applied to medications beyond antiretrovirals.

Keywords

Medical informatics - smartphone - mobile applications - medication adherence - HIV
 

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