A health literacy pilot intervention to improve medication adherence using Meducation technology.

Zullig LL, McCant F, Melnyk SD, Danus S, Bosworth HB. A health literacy pilot intervention to improve medication adherence using Meducation technology. Patient education and counseling. 2014 May 1; 95(2):288-91.

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Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether antihypertensive medication adherence could improve using a Meducation technology health literacy intervention. METHODS: We conducted a six-month feasibility study among patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors receiving care from hospital-based primary care clinics. All patients received a personalized Meducation calendar listing CVD-related medications. We evaluated changes in medication adherence and clinical outcomes at six months. RESULTS: There was a 42% enrollment rate (n = 23). Forty percent had low health literacy, defined as less than 9th grade reading level. At three months, self-reported medication adherence improved. At six months, medication possession ratio improved 3.2%. Also, at six months there were decreases in patients' average systolic blood pressure (0.5 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (1.5 mmHg), and body weight (3.6 pounds) (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A health literacy intervention may be a feasible mechanism to improve cardiovascular-related medication adherence and outcomes. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Health literacy interventions may improve adherence while requiring relatively few resources to implement.