Development of content for a mobile application aimed to increase medication adherence among older adults

Aysu Selcuk; Selin Soydan; Volkan Atmis; Ahmet Yalcin; Asuman Bozkir; Murat Varli

doi:10.1186/s12877-025-05994-7

Development of content for a mobile application aimed to increase medication adherence among older adults

BMC Geriatr. 2025 May 13;25(1):327. doi: 10.1186/s12877-025-05994-7.

Authors

Aysu Selcuk¹, Selin Soydan², Volkan Atmis³, Ahmet Yalcin³, Asuman Bozkir⁴, Murat Varli³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ankara University, Ankara, 06560, Türkiye. aysuselcuk@ankara.edu.tr.
² Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ankara University, Ankara, 06560, Türkiye.
³ Department of Geriatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, 06230, Türkiye.
⁴ Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ankara University, Ankara, 06560, Türkiye.

Abstract

Background: An increase in the use of health-related mobile applications is expected in the future. It is believed that mobile applications are valuable tools for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. The use of mobile applications to improve medication adherence in older adults is effective, but it must be developed based on the special needs of older adults for high quality and long-term use. The aim of this Delphi survey study is to develop the content of a mobile application aimed to improve medication adherence among older adults by obtaining views from a panel including healthcare professionals, patients and patient care givers.

Methods: An online Delphi method was implemented by using a questionnaire platform to obtain consensus on key content for a mobile application. Pharmacists, physicians, nurses, patients and patient caregivers were invited to participate in the consensus.

Results: A total of 107 health care professionals, patients and care givers were invited to the study to develop consensus for the content of the mobile application. The response rates to three surveys were 56%, 90%, and 96%, respectively. Content including reminders for the patient on when to take the medicine, instructions for medications such as taking medication on an empty or full stomach or every morning or evening, feedback for getting new prescriptions when the medications are about to run out, information on what to do if the patient forgets to take the medication, and confirmation after the patient takes the medication, visual and written instructions for specific medications, information about medication doses specific to the patient's prescription, reminders to take medication one hour before or after based on the requirement of empty or full stomach administration and reminder when is the appropriate time for physician appointment were selected as critical.

Conclusions: The content was created for the potential development of a mobile application to improve medication adherence. These findings could serve as a foundation for designing a mobile application tailored specifically for older adults in the future.

Clinical trial number: Not applicable.

Keywords: Digital health; Medication adherence; Mobile application; Older adults.

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Delphi Technique
Female
Humans
Male
Medication Adherence* / psychology
Middle Aged
Mobile Applications* / standards
Mobile Applications* / trends
Surveys and Questionnaires