title: The utility of providing automated medication dose reminders to young children on chronic medication.
abstract: We investigated the effect of text message reminders about medication administration. The study concerned children with cystic fibrosis. We provided 20 children (aged 5-12 years) with pagers that they could customize. For the first two weeks, we sent friendly text messages (non-reminder content) near medication times to acquaint them with the use of the pager. For the second two weeks, we sent messages reminding children to take their medications. The parents completed a survey to assess the child's overall use of the pager and degree of participation in medication management. Sixteen out of 20 children completed the study. Of these, 14 children (88%) were able to help notify parents when medications were due. Children as young as seven years of age may be able to receive reminders about medication administration events. The pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of involving younger children in pager technology related to medication adherence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Room 428, 2209 Garland Ave, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. Kevin.johnson@vanderbilt.edu
authors.forename: Kevin B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Demoyne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Culpepper
authors.forename: Patti
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Jeffry S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017010:Reminder Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D060145:Text Messaging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016903:Drug Monitoring