When was the last time you forgot to have your morning cup of coffee, or missed your bedtime skincare routine?

We always remember to do what makes us feel good, yet we often tend to forget that to enjoy good health, we must follow the doctor’s advice! We all need an occasional nudge in the right direction, to get us to attend to our health needs. Innovations like health tracking apps are that much-needed push, to encourage you to adhere to your medicine schedule and pursue your health goals successfully.

Understanding adherence

 A major aspect of any treatment plan that has a huge tangible impact on health outcomes, is adherence. Let's understand what it really means. According to WHO, adherence is the degree to which a person’s behavior corresponds with the agreed recommendations from a healthcare provider. It refers to taking medication on time, but also to incorporating other lifestyle changes recommended by your doctor. It has been reported that patients with chronic diseases who adhere to treatment are likely to experience an improved quality of life. Adherence to treatment is associated with fewer Emergency Room visits and hospitalizations. Even so, there are  studies with patients suffering from chronic diseases that  show that 50% of the study population did  not adhere to the correct administration and appropriate medicine dosage. One third of the participants in another study did not adhere to their prescribed medication intake.

For many reasons, today, medical non-adherence is a common global challenge. The failure to follow treatment advice, however, can have an effect on the outcome of the treatment, from lowering its effectiveness to allowing the disease to progress further. This could have far-reaching effects on the quality of life of the patient as well as their families. For example, in patients with diabetes, non-adherence to the prescribed exercise and diet plan could lead to poor mobility and increased pain and anxiety in the patient. The complications arising as a result of this could increase hospital visits, making caregiving more difficult.

Small steps with a big footprint

Educating people about their health condition, and assuring them of the necessity, effectiveness and safety of the treatment protocol, may likely convince them to adhere to the treatment. Also, it often takes one tiny win to show you that your health goals are attainable, that you have the power to take control of your health and live the life you want.

And this is exactly what health technology helps you do. HealthTech apps have    been found to improve medicine adherence— by educating you about your health condition, recording your health data, sending you reminders, and checking in with you, they help you be accountable and witness the lasting impact of your treatment plan.

Insights that personalize care

Digital technology has the power to improve communication and strengthen trust between patients and healthcare providers. Apps for health tracking enable better patient engagement which allows patients’ preferences to be included in the treatment plan— the insights derived from it give doctors a deeper understanding of your behavior patterns, so they can clarify misconceptions, address your concerns, and design a more personalized care plan for you.

Your caregivers, too, can rely on the app’s data, to keep a tab on your medication schedule and history, help you make other lifestyle changes based on the app’s recommendations, and support you in your health journey.

If the high number of daily prescribed medicines is found to be a cause for non-adherence, simplifying the consumption of the medication can motivate people to take their medicines for example vitamin supplements in the form of convenient chewable gummies have shown to improve adherence. Similarly, tablets with specialized coating that glides easily make it simpler for the elderly to swallow their pills and adhere to their medicine schedule.

Choices that put you on the right track

The complications caused by chronic conditions pose a far greater consequence than the effort it takes to prevent them. Health conditions that could have been managed with ease, become difficult to tackle, with increase in health complications. . This not only affects them and their caregivers, but could also potentially increase the load on healthcare institutions. The practice of medical adherence, therefore, has far-reaching benefits for individuals, communities, and the economy at large. 

Adherence may be perceived as a dependence on medicines. But in fact, it means you are taking charge of your treatment plan, your health, and your life. When your health is in your control, you can invest time and energy in doing all those things that you love, and live fully – and heath tech can help you do just that. 

Disclaimer: The information mentioned in this document is only suggestive /for patient education and shall not be considered as a substitute for doctor’s advice or recommendations from Abbott. Please consult your doctor for more information.