Development and Implementation of an Interprofessional Digital Platform to Increase Therapeutic Adherence: Protocol for a Mixed Design Study
Authors: Anglade Carole , Breton Mylaine , Simard Frederic , Fitzpatrick Terry , Fitzpatrick Meighen , Bruneau Geneviève , Gaboury Isabelle 
Published: July 2022

Background

Adherence to care plans is a major issue in health care systems. Improved adherence has several potential benefits such as ensuring treatment effectiveness and control of chronic diseases. There is currently a lack of tools to maximize treatment adherence in an integrated manner, that is, covering multiple aspects of patients’ health continuously throughout their medical care. To ensure better adherence, such tools must meet the needs of patients with chronic conditions as well as those of health care professionals. Acknowledging the health issues associated with nonadherence to treatment, an industry-research-clinical partnership aims to adapt a digital platform—facilitating patient-health care professional interactions—to improve therapeutic adherence in patients with chronic illnesses. The platform allows for exchanges between patients and health care professionals to facilitate the timing of medication use or chronic disease management and maximize patient adherence.

Objective

This study aims to (1) identify the needs of patients living with a chronic condition and their health professionals concerning their interactions regarding treatment; (2) codevelop an adaptation of an interactive patient-professional platform that meets the needs identified; and (3) then test the platform and document its effects and acceptability in a clinical setting.

Methods

The study will use a creative design thinking process based on the needs expressed by users (patients and health professionals) concerning treatment adherence for chronic diseases (eg, diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, depression and anxiety, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). A mixed method evaluation research design will be used to develop and evaluate the platform. Qualitative data will be used to assess user needs and acceptability of the platform, and quantitative data will provide the necessary insights to document its effects.

Results

Technological development of the platform has been completed. Recruitment for the first part of Phase 1 started in May 2022. The results of this project to codevelop an interprofessional digital platform to increase therapeutic adherence will be relevant to clinicians and managers seeking contemporary solutions that support patient adherence to treatment for chronic diseases. These results will enable optimal use of the platform and identify areas for improvement in interactive patient-health care professional apps.

Conclusions

The adoption of an interactive digital platform to facilitate effective exchanges between patients and health care professionals in primary care settings could improve adherence to treatment. The platform tested in this project takes a first step in this direction by ensuring that the technological product is developed according to the needs of patients as well as the health professionals who are likely to use it.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/34463