Cell phone intervention to improve adherence: cystic fibrosis care team, patient, and parent perspectives.
BACKGROUND
Treatment regimens for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are time-consuming and complex, resulting in consistently low adherence rates. To date, few studies have evaluated innovative technologies to improve adherence in this population. Current infection control guidelines for patients with CF seek to minimize patient-to-patient transmission of potential pathogens. Thus, interventions must avoid face-to-face contact and be delivered individually, limiting opportunities for peer support. This study aimed to develop and assess a web-enabled cell phone, CFFONE, designed to provide CF information and social support to improve adherence in adolescents with CF.


METHODS
The acceptability, feasibility, and utility of CFFONE were evaluated with health care professionals (n = 17) adolescents with CF aged 11-18 years old (n = 12), adults with CF aged 21-36 years old (n = 6), parents of adolescents with CF (n = 12), and technology experts (n = 8). Adolescents also tested a prototype of CFFONE (n = 9). Qualitative and quantitative data were collected.


RESULTS
Focus group data with health care professionals indicated a need for this intervention, and indicated that CFFONE would be likely to improve knowledge and social support, and somewhat likely to improve adherence. Adolescent, adults, and parents all rated CFFONE as likely to improve adherence. Technology experts rated the prototype design and format as appropriate.


CONCLUSIONS
The current study provided some support from key stakeholders for this intervention to improve adherence in adolescents with CF. Next steps include a multi-center trial of the efficacy and safety of CFFONE.
Marciel
Kristen K
KK
University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, USA. kmarciel@med.miami.edu
Saiman
Lisa
L
Quittell
Lynne M
LM
Dawkins
Kevin
K
Quittner
Alexandra L
AL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D040421:Cell Phone; D002648:Child; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult