Increasing Clinician Education and Awareness on Medisafe, a Mobile Medication Application Resource for HF Patients

Abstract

Background: This doctoral of nursing practice (DNP) project implemented a quality improvement (QI) intervention at a single-site cardiology clinic (Pima Heart) in Tucson, Arizona. A literature search was conducted to determine the best educational intervention and tool to provide clinicians with a resource to assist their heart failure (HF) patients with medication adherence and education. The objective of the project was to provide clinicians with education on Medisafe, a mobile health (mHealth) medication adherence application, with the purpose of making them aware of the mHealth resource and to increase their intent to promote this application among HF patients. Theoretical Framework Kurt Lewin’s Change Theory and Force Field Analysis model was used to drive the implementation and application of concepts of this DNP project. Methodology A pre-and post-test study design was chosen and a video educational module was developed and implemented over a two-week study period. Participants were interviewed on an individual basis at Pima Heart and a total of nine clinicians participated in this project. Results After watching the educational video intervention and following the study period, seven out of nine participates felt more confident in their knowledge about mHealth medication adherence applications and more confident recommending Medisafe as a resource to their HF patient. Seven out of nine participants recommended Medisafe to at least one patient over the two-week time frame and agreed to some extent that it benefitted their patient’s adherence levels and medication education/understanding. These same clinicians also planned on using Medisafe as a medication resource for their future patient populations. Conclusion Utilizing a pre-and post-test study design with an educational video module about Medisafe was an effective method for disseminating information for this QI project. The intervention resulted in an increased likelihood of clinicians recommending this resource to HF patients who may be struggling with adherence and a greater confidence and knowledge of Medisafe and mHealth medication adherence applications with a plan to utilize this resource in their future practice.