title: Exploring the usage of a mobile phone application in transplanted patients to encourage medication compliance and education.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Medication non-adherence in transplant patients is a grave problem that results in increased rejection episodes, graft loss and significant morbidity.
  
  
  METHODS
  The efficacy of users and non-users of a mobile phone application (mobile app) in promoting medication adherence was investigated. The Beliefs about Medicine Questionnaire (BMQ) and Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) were used in these cohorts to assess the predilection for poor adherence. Serum tacrolimus, creatinine levels, and rejection episodes were also recorded. Lastly, the patients were tested on their recall of their immunosuppression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, patients had extremely negative beliefs about medication reflected in their tendency toward higher predicted rates of non-adherence. Interestingly, though not significant, app users had higher rates of medication recollection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high-risk nature of this population demands efforts to abrogate non-adherence. Caregivers are charged with the responsibility to offer patients a feasible option to safeguard treatment compliance. Mobile apps are a potentially powerful tool, which can be used to decrease non-adherence.
authors.affiliation: Montefiore - Einstein Center for Transplantation, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA. Electronic address: alana.zanetti-yabur@einstein.yu.edu.
authors.forename: Alana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zanetti-Yabur
authors.affiliation: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hayde
authors.affiliation: New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Anthony C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Watkins
authors.affiliation: Montefiore - Einstein Center for Transplantation, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Juan P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Rocca
authors.affiliation: Montefiore - Einstein Center for Transplantation, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Jay A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Graham
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D063731:Mobile Applications; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents
keywords: Kidney transplant; Liver transplant; Medication adherence; Mobile phone application; Patient education; iPhone