High-Tech Treatment Adherence
April 23, 2008 by Jessica Land
According to Melker, the new device could help address the issue by providing a new way to monitor treatment adherence. Melker said that although the current version of the device works well, he hopes that the technology eventually can be used in a cellular phone. He added that the device also could be used to track treatment adherence in people living with tuberculosis and other illnesses. Melker said that the potential implications of the device in helping health officials understand why some patients adhere to treatment regimens and others do not is “huge” (ANI/Thaindian News, 4/22).
As someone who has great difficulty adhering to her MS medication, I find this device quite interesting, if not a bit terrifying.
Interesting because it would make it difficult for me to lie, even partially, to my physician. Thus allowing for an accurate representation of the true nature of non-compliant MS patients–and I hear there are more than a few. It could really help researchers in developing more effective medications by learning about how medications, or lack there of, truly affect an individual’s prognosis.
Terrifying because, well, it might mean I have no way out of taking the drugs. If you’re non-compliant, doctor’s can “fire” you as their patient. Hence the reason many lie. For those who do fess up about their bad practices, there are endless reprisals from the physician. Again, a good reason to lie.
Is lying to doctors destined to be a thing of the past?
This abstract was in the Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Policy Report on 4/23/08.
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Jess: I agree, this device is very interesting and can go a long way in measuring adherence in clinical trials. You would think your doctor would trust you to take your meds! If you had the device at home (it’s a little clunky) and had to blow into it each day to measure your medication levels, would you?
There are many factors to medication adherence, the #1 reason why people do not take their meds? Forgetfulness at 84%. If you have trouble remembering to take your meds, you should check out Intelecare.com to sign up for our free reminders delivered via email, text or voice messaging.
Another great resource for MS patients (I apologize if you have already blogged about it) is PatientsLikeMe.com. They have charts to graph your medications, your symptoms and moods, as well as a community to speak with others who have MS.
I hope these help you stay adherent! Best of luck.
Alex
Thanks!
My adherence has much more to do with my reaction to the injections. I always remember them but I can’t always make myself do them. They’re incredibly painful; 6 years in, and they finally recommend Embla cream, which is amazing. But now I’ve gone through so many painful injections that I have a mental block when it comes to administering them myself. Part of me thinks this might help my doctor to better understand the difficulties.