Medication adherence especially important for patients with drug-eluting stents (DES), where mortality rates can increase 40 percent for those who do not take their medication. A new study, published in Frontiers, tests an electronic tablet application in effectiveness in keeping patients on track of taking medication.

Patients with DES and low medication adherence are a recipe for disaster. Within the first year of a stent placement, non-adherence increases the risk of death by nine times. This study examined the “My Interventional Drug-Eluting Stent Educational App (MyIDEA)” to increase patient adherence after a DES placement.

The study included 24 participants over the age of 50 who have a DES. Eleven were put into the control group while 13 received MyIDEA on a tablet. All participants were given psychological and knowledge questionnaires and were measured for adherence at three months.

Results showed that MyIDEA, which was used an average of 21 minutes per day, increased medication adherence by 10 percent on average. Participants in the control group had very low adherence, measuring below 80 percent.

“Consumer health informatics has enabled us to engage patients with their health data using novel methods,” concluded Vicki Shah and colleagues. “Consumer health technology needs to focus more on patient knowledge and engagement to improve long-term health. MyIDEA takes a unique approach in targeting DAPT from the onset. MyIDEA leverages patient-centered information with clinical care and the electronic health record highlighting the patients’ role as a team member in their own health care. The patients think critically about adverse events and how to solve issues before leaving the hospital.”