title: The role of electronic assessment of adherence in the education and counseling of children taking growth hormone: progress and challenges.
abstract: There are numerous issues surrounding adherence in children taking recombinant human growth hormone (rh-GH). New technologies capable of accurately recording/monitoring may highlight some of these issues, and have value in optimizing adherence levels through education and counseling. The intention of this review is to guide healthcare professionals (HCPs). PubMed, Google Scholar and citations in published papers were used to substantiate the views expressed by the authors. Both perceptional and practical factors influence the adherence levels of children taking rh-GH. Understanding such factors may help to identify the characteristics of ideal rh-GH devices and their potential impact on adherence. New technologies, such as electronic monitors, may facilitate patient-provider discussions on adherence, and help identify barriers that are amenable to change. Monitoring adherence may also help differentiate nonadherence from biological low response to rh-GH therapy. However, the medical, psychological, social and ethical aspects of electronic assessment require further investigation.
authors.affiliation: University of Applied Science, Bochum, Germany. f.haverkamp@efh-bochum.de
authors.forename: Fritz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Haverkamp
authors.forename: Svante
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Norgren
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Horne
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gasteyger
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004582:Electronics, Medical; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections / Q000295:instrumentation; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic
chemical_list: D019382:Human Growth Hormone