Digital Solutions Available to Be Used by Informal Caregivers, Contributing to Medication Adherence: A Scoping Review

Medication adherence is essential for managing chronic diseases and achieving optimal health outcomes. However, this process is often challenging, particularly for patients with complex care needs. Informal caregivers play a pivotal role in supporting medication management, but they may face resourc...

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Main Authors: Margarida Espírito-Santo, Sancha Santos, Maria Dulce Estêvão
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-01-01
Series:Pharmacy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/12/1/20
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author Margarida Espírito-Santo
Sancha Santos
Maria Dulce Estêvão
author_facet Margarida Espírito-Santo
Sancha Santos
Maria Dulce Estêvão
author_sort Margarida Espírito-Santo
collection DOAJ
description Medication adherence is essential for managing chronic diseases and achieving optimal health outcomes. However, this process is often challenging, particularly for patients with complex care needs. Informal caregivers play a pivotal role in supporting medication management, but they may face resource limitations and a lack of necessary support. Digital health tools offer a promising avenue to enhance medication adherence by providing reminders, education, and remote monitoring capabilities. This scoping review aimed to identify and evaluate digital solutions available to informal caregivers for improving medication adherence. A systematic search of PubMed and Web of Science was conducted using relevant keywords. Four studies were included in the review, examining a variety of digital tools including mobile apps, SMS messaging, and wearable devices. These tools demonstrated efficacy in improving medication adherence, managing disease symptoms, and enhancing quality of life for patients and caregivers. Digital health interventions hold the potential to revolutionize medication adherence among chronic disease patients. By empowering informal caregivers, these tools can bridge the gaps in medication management and contribute to better health outcomes. Further research is warranted to optimize the design, implementation, and evaluation of digital interventions for medication adherence.
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spelling doaj.art-a86ad7ae6f8f430aacae008e1bcb95b72024-02-23T15:31:24ZengMDPI AGPharmacy2226-47872024-01-011212010.3390/pharmacy12010020Digital Solutions Available to Be Used by Informal Caregivers, Contributing to Medication Adherence: A Scoping ReviewMargarida Espírito-Santo0Sancha Santos1Maria Dulce Estêvão2School of Health, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, PortugalSchool of Health, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, PortugalSchool of Health, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, PortugalMedication adherence is essential for managing chronic diseases and achieving optimal health outcomes. However, this process is often challenging, particularly for patients with complex care needs. Informal caregivers play a pivotal role in supporting medication management, but they may face resource limitations and a lack of necessary support. Digital health tools offer a promising avenue to enhance medication adherence by providing reminders, education, and remote monitoring capabilities. This scoping review aimed to identify and evaluate digital solutions available to informal caregivers for improving medication adherence. A systematic search of PubMed and Web of Science was conducted using relevant keywords. Four studies were included in the review, examining a variety of digital tools including mobile apps, SMS messaging, and wearable devices. These tools demonstrated efficacy in improving medication adherence, managing disease symptoms, and enhancing quality of life for patients and caregivers. Digital health interventions hold the potential to revolutionize medication adherence among chronic disease patients. By empowering informal caregivers, these tools can bridge the gaps in medication management and contribute to better health outcomes. Further research is warranted to optimize the design, implementation, and evaluation of digital interventions for medication adherence.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/12/1/20chronic diseasesdigital health toolsinformal caregiversmedication adherence
spellingShingle Margarida Espírito-Santo
Sancha Santos
Maria Dulce Estêvão
Digital Solutions Available to Be Used by Informal Caregivers, Contributing to Medication Adherence: A Scoping Review
Pharmacy
chronic diseases
digital health tools
informal caregivers
medication adherence
title Digital Solutions Available to Be Used by Informal Caregivers, Contributing to Medication Adherence: A Scoping Review
title_full Digital Solutions Available to Be Used by Informal Caregivers, Contributing to Medication Adherence: A Scoping Review
title_fullStr Digital Solutions Available to Be Used by Informal Caregivers, Contributing to Medication Adherence: A Scoping Review
title_full_unstemmed Digital Solutions Available to Be Used by Informal Caregivers, Contributing to Medication Adherence: A Scoping Review
title_short Digital Solutions Available to Be Used by Informal Caregivers, Contributing to Medication Adherence: A Scoping Review
title_sort digital solutions available to be used by informal caregivers contributing to medication adherence a scoping review
topic chronic diseases
digital health tools
informal caregivers
medication adherence
url https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/12/1/20
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AT mariadulceestevao digitalsolutionsavailabletobeusedbyinformalcaregiverscontributingtomedicationadherenceascopingreview