title: Community pharmacy patient perceptions of a pharmacy-initiated mobile technology app to improve adherence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine patient perceptions of using a demonstration application (app) of mobile technology to improve medication adherence and to identify desired features to assist in the management of medications.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative study using key informant interviews was conducted in a community pharmacy chain for patients aged 50 and older, on statin therapy and owning a smart device.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three main themes emerged from 24 interviews at four pharmacy locations, which included benefits, barriers and desired features of the app. Benefits such as accessibility, privacy, pros of appearance and beneficiaries were more likely to lead to usage of the app. Barriers that might prevent usage of the app were related to concerns of appearance, the burden it might cause for others, cost, privacy, motivation and reliability. Specific features patients desired were categorized under appearance, customization, communication, functionality, input and the app platform.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients provided opinions about using a mobile app to improve medication adherence and assist with managing medications. Patients envisioned the app within their lifestyle and expressed important considerations, identifying benefits to using this technology and voicing relevant concerns. App developers can use patient perceptions to guide development of a mobile app addressing patient medication-related needs.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA.|Red Cross Pharmacy, Inc., Excelsior Springs, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Kristen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: DiDonato
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Yifei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Cameron C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lindsey
authors.affiliation: Red Cross Pharmacy, Inc., Excelsior Springs, MO, USA.
authors.forename: David Matthew
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Hartwig
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Steven C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Stoner
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D063731:Mobile Applications; D017060:Patient Satisfaction
keywords: Health Belief Model; mHealth; mobile application; mobile technology; patient perceptions