ABSTRACT:
Adherence to therapies is a primary determinant of treatment success. Failure to adherence is a serious problem which not only affects the patient but the health care system.[1] Advancement in the field of medicine, practices patient centric approach to obtain adherence, advanced technological support also contributes in it, but proper knowledge in using it and equally the acceptance among patient community plays a critical role in its success. So, the present study is an attempt to analyze patient awareness, utilization and perspective towards adopting strategies to improve medication adherence. Patients most often become non-compliant for chronic diseases, like hypertension and diabetes mellitus, where they do not have any unpleasant symptoms even without strict compliance to medication regimen.[1] An online survey was conducted during the period of March 2023 to April 2023. 73 participants participated with Diabetes or Hypertension or both above the age of 18 years with two thirds (64.4%) of participants being men. Most patients were aged between 46-65 years of age, majority (51%) had both DM and HTN. Among them 62.7% of the patients reported that they did not take the prescribed medicines regularly as advised by their physician during the treatment. The most common reason for non-adherence was found to be forgetfulness (58.8%) followed by patients’ who felt they do not need regular medication as their BP/ Blood sugar felt normal (23.5%). The study suggests that 62.7% of patients are not aware about the use of technological methods to improve medication adherence. Analysing the perspective of patients’, it was known that 37.3% of the patients agreed and 47.1% patients were likely to try technological methods to improve their adherence. 82.4% of participants had a positive attitude towards adopting a “Phone call” reminder technology. Advanced technology coupled with the human intervention will truly improve the complex puzzle of medication adherence. In conclusion the study suggests that increase in acceptability of Technological and New Strategies in improving medication adherence was observed in patients but its utility was found to be less due to lack of awareness.