Title: Adherence to therapy in the digital age: a new assessment of skills
Abstract:
Adherence to therapy in the digital age: A new assessment of skills Introduction: When the patient’s behavior in following the prescribed treatment regimen is not reasonably correct, unsatisfactory clinical results can result. It is well documented in the literature with studies of overall adherence rates estimated to be 50% for the majority of long-term therapy and treatments for chronic disease. The educational approach must be centered and modulated on the characteristics of the specific patient and must be of a systemic type. The digital skills of elderly patients are still scarce (or even absent) in an age in which technology is increasingly influencing the world of healthcare, organizational reasons and shortages in healthcare services. Aims: The purpose of the observational study is to validate a tool for assessing the level of therapeutic adherence and to identify educational and digital strategies to enhance patient self-awareness levels. To develop and validate a measurement tool to assess patient abilities though an educational process Methods: The study was carried out through the engagement of at least 42 elderly patients with chronic diseases being treated with one or more drugs in Italy engaged by EUPATI Academy. Results: Among the 70 patients analysed, as regards a path of education in the correct use of therapy and the adoption of a correct lifestyle, most of the patients are in favor and affirm that it is very important to be able to make decisions shared with experts, also through online platforms. Despite this, validation of the assessment tool is still ongoing, as is the assessment of the patient’s educational preferences and digital knowledge, both of which impact therapy adherence. Discussion: Digital face questionnaires has been tested and educational preferences as well as therapeutic adherence skills have been assessed, but it would be appropriate to deepen further studies and research on more numerous samples and from different countries and compare them. Too few patients adhere to educational programs about the use of digital and this way they’re excluding themselves from a world where the digital is the order of the day. Take Away Notes: • When you take in charge a patient suffered by multimorbidity and polytherapy, you have to assess knowledge level on use of drugs/therapies and digital tools as support. We would like to share a new assessment in Italian version (not in English or other languages) • Is this research that other faculty could use to expand their research or teaching? Does this provide a practical solution to a problem that could simplify or make a designer’s job more efficient? Will it improve the accuracy of a design, or provide new information to assist in a design problem? List all other benefits. • A new tool of assessment has been created by a interprofessional team of research at University of Turin. Therapeutic adherence is an important topic to face in new and different ways, in particular for people over 65 affected by multidiseases and in polytherapies. We would like to validate the questionnaire according to the rule of psychometrics methods and we are looking for experts interested to collaborate with us.
