A Mobile Medication Support App and Its Impact on People Living With HIV: 12-Week User Experience and Medication Compliance Pilot Study

BACKGROUND: The continuity of care between hospital visits conducted through mobile apps creates new opportunities for people living with HIV in situations where face-to-face interventions are difficult. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the user experience of a mobile medication support app and its impact on improving antiretroviral therapy compliance and facilitating teleconsultations between people living with HIV and medical staff. METHODS: Two clinics in Japan were invited to participate in a 12-week trial of the medication support app between July 27, 2018, and March 31, 2021. Medication compliance was assessed based on responses to scheduled medication reminders; users, including people living with HIV and medical staff, were asked to complete an in-app satisfaction survey to rate their level of satisfaction with the app and its specific features on a 5-point Likert scale. RESULTS: A total of 10 people living with HIV and 11 medical staff were included in this study. During the trial, the medication compliance rate was 90%, and the mean response rates to symptom and medication alerts were 73% and 76%, respectively. Overall, people living with HIV and medical staff were satisfied with the medication support app (agreement rate: mean 81% and 65%, respectively). Over 80% of medical staff and people living with HIV were satisfied with the ability to record medications taken (9/11 and 8/10 medical staff and people living with HIV, respectively), record symptoms of concern (10/11 and 8/10),and inquire about drug combinations (8/10, 10/10). And further, 90% of people living with HIV were satisfied with the function for communication with medical staff (9/10). CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results demonstrate the feasibility of the medication support app in improving medication compliance and enhancing communication between people living with HIV and medical staff.