Expert Insight Into the Use of eHealth Interventions to Aid Medication Adherence During COVID-19

Figures & data

Box 1 Survey Sent to ESPACOMP Members to Investigate the eHealth Interventions Used to Aid Medication Adherence During COVID-19

1) In your recent experience, what digital health tools that may impact medication adherence are you aware of being used during COVID-19?

2) How do these tools eliminate barriers to medication adherence? Are you aware of what level of evidence supports the tools’ effectiveness

3) How do these tools create barriers/complexity for medication adherence, or contribute to potential health inequality?

4) Of these tools, what is likely to stay post-COVID?

5) Is there anything else you would like to mention regarding the impact of digital health tools on adherence?

Box 2 Layout of the Structured Interview

1) What is your job title?

2) Where are you based?

3) What is your gender?

4) How long have you had experience in the field of medication adherence?

5) What digital resources are you aware of being available to aid medication adherence during COVID-19?

6) What are the functions available within the digital eHealth interventions for patients? Generally, and specifically in relation to COVID-19

7) What are the strengths and weaknesses of the eHealth interventions that you are aware of/familiar with?

8) How do eHealth interventions decrease/increase barriers to medication adherence?

9) What is the effect of COVID-19 on adherence to medicines for chronic diseases? Based on evidence/anecdote/experience

10) What are the key issues concerning medication adherence in the context of non-vaccine COVID-19 treatment?

Table 1 Assessment of eHealth Interventions Used for Medication Adherence During COVID-19, Gathered from Survey

Theme	Subthemes
1) eHealth tools used in COVID-19	a) Telemedicine b) Mobile apps c) Electronic pill caps d) Electronic Prescription Service e) Online health counselling f) Decision aid websites g) Electronic health records
2) Ways eHealth tools eliminate barriers to medication adherence	a) Improved patient health literacy b) Increased monitoring by healthcare professionals c) Medication reminders d) Adherence feedback e) Ease of ordering prescriptions f) User empowerment g) Increased patient motivation h) Improved patient safety
3) Ways eHealth tools create barriers to medication adherence	a) Digital literacy b) Access to technology c) Access to internet d) Affordability e) Complicated jargon f) Excessive data
4) eHealth tools likely to stay after COVID-19	a) Telemedicine b) Mobile apps c) Electronic health records d) Electronic pill caps e) Decision aid websites f) Online health counselling

Table 2 Assessment of eHealth Interventions Used for Medication Adherence During COVID-19, Gathered from Interviews

Theme	Subthemes
1) eHealth functionalities	a) Adherence feedback b) Communication c) Hypertension monitoring d) Medication reminders e) Patient education f) Pill Identification g) Prescription renewal h) Gamification
i) eHealth strengths	a) User empowerment b) Convenience c) Patient reassurance d) Data for research e) Easiness in development
a) eHealth weaknesses	a) Lack of cooperation between technology providers b) Lack of quality filter c) Complicated procurement pathways
d) Barriers to adherence using eHealth	a) Digital health literacy b) Lack of awareness from doctors about eHealth c) Lack of human contact d) Access to technology e) Mistrust of data security
f) Effect of COVID-19 on adherence	a) Decreased in patients taking aspirin b) Decreased in patients taking methotrexate c) No effect
g) Non-vaccine COVID-19 treatment adherence issues	a) Lack of access to treatment b) Lack of guidelines c) Media portrayal

Abbreviations: eHealth, digital health; ESPACOMP, The International Society for Medication Adherence; MEMS, electronic pill caps; EPS, electronic prescription service; EHR, electronic health records.