Background: Non-adherence to oral chemotherapy is a worldwide issue and there is a lack standardized procedures to monitor oral chemotherapy intake and related side-effects. Mobile phones are known to be a helpful platform to deliver effective interventions to increase medication adherence in other chronic diseases, but more evidence is needed on whether this type of technology is useful in supporting oral chemotherapy adherence. Findings from the theory and consumer-informed development of a novel intervention are described.
Methods: The design process consisted of an extensive literature review of the main reasons for oral chemotherapy non-adherence, a scoping review to examine what was known about available oral chemotherapy adherence-enhancing interventions delivered via mobile phones and a formative qualitative study with 9 oral chemotherapy users (ages 20 to 71 y/o) to explore their preferences on the structure of the self-management program. A multi-site proof-of-concept trial of the intervention is currently underway.
Results: Mobile phone-based interventions to increase oral chemotherapy adherence were found to be highly acceptable to end-users in a scoping review conducted by the team. A smartphone text message-based program, designed to support oral chemotherapy adherence and to address the three main reasons for non-adherence (side-effects, forgetfulness and poor treatment knowledge) was then developed. Importantly, findings from the qualitative study informed the structure of the program (e.g. timing, content, delivery methods). To date, 18 participants in 6 Australian hospitals are enrolled in the proof-of-concept trial and this number is expected to increase in the next months.
Discussion: The development process of this self-management program can be used as guide in the design of future medication-adherence mobile health interventions in cancer and other chronic diseases. Findings from the program trial will inform refinements of the intervention to assist with its translation in to ‘real’ oncology settings.