There is potential for mHealth tools to better facilitate adherence to chronic disease management , but the evidence supporting its current effectiveness is mixed .
BACKGROUND Adherence to chronic disease management is critical to achieving improved health outcomes , quality of life , and cost-effective health care .
As the burden of chronic diseases continues to grow globally , so does the impact of non-adherence .
Mobile technologies are increasingly being used in health care and public health practice ( mHealth ) for patient communication , monitoring , and education , and to facilitate adherence to chronic diseases management .
OBJECTIVE We conducted a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the effectiveness of mHealth in supporting the adherence of patients to chronic diseases management ( " mAdherence " ) , and the usability , feasibility , and acceptability of mAdherence tools and platforms in chronic disease management among patients and health care providers .
Mobile communication using a mobile phone with a glucometer for glucose control in Type 2 patients with diabetes: as effective as an Internet-based glucose monitoring system
A mobile phone with a glucometer integrated into the battery pack ( the ‘ Diabetes Phone ’ ) was launched in Korea in 2003 . We compared its effect on management of type 2 diabetes to the Internet-based glucose monitoring system ( IBGMS ) , which had been studied previously . We conducted a r and omized trial involving 69 patients for three months . Participants were assigned to an Internet group or a phone group . The phone group communicated with medical staff through the mobile phone only . Their glucose-monitoring data were automatically transferred to individual , web-based charts and they received medical recommendations by short message service . The Internet group used the IBGMS . There were no significant differences between the groups at baseline . After three months ' intervention , HbA1c levels of both groups had decreased significantly , from 7.6 % to 6.9 % for the Internet group and from 8.3 % to 7.1 % for the phone group ( P < 0.01 ) . Levels of patient satisfaction and adherence to medical advice were similar . Mobile , bidirectional communication between doctors and patients using the diabetes phone was as effective for glucose control as the previously-studied Internet-based monitoring system and it was good for patient satisfaction and adherence
There is potential for mHealth tools to better facilitate adherence to chronic disease management , but the evidence supporting its current effectiveness is mixed .
BACKGROUND Adherence to chronic disease management is critical to achieving improved health outcomes , quality of life , and cost-effective health care .
As the burden of chronic diseases continues to grow globally , so does the impact of non-adherence .
Mobile technologies are increasingly being used in health care and public health practice ( mHealth ) for patient communication , monitoring , and education , and to facilitate adherence to chronic diseases management .
OBJECTIVE We conducted a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the effectiveness of mHealth in supporting the adherence of patients to chronic diseases management ( " mAdherence " ) , and the usability , feasibility , and acceptability of mAdherence tools and platforms in chronic disease management among patients and health care providers .