Automated home medication dispensers 

Ensuring medication adherence among older adults with chronic diseases is crucial for effective symptom management and overall health outcomes. Unfortunately, non-adherence to drug therapy is a significant concern, leading to increased hospitalisations and mortality rates in this population. Factors contributing to non-adherence include complex dosing regimens, medication side effects, and cognitive or functional decline. 

With a growing emphasis on ageing in place and shifting healthcare services towards home care, the need for innovative solutions to support medication adherence has become paramount. The Dutch government has recognised this need and is actively promoting the use of time-saving technologies in healthcare settings. 

One such technology gaining traction is the automated home medication dispenser (AHMD), for example, the Medido AHMD developed by Vitavanti Healthcare Solutions. This device, integrated with a unit-dose system provided by pharmacies, simplifies medication management by reminding patients to take their medications at specified times and dispensing the correct doses accordingly. 

A study found that medication adherence increased from 49% to 97% after 6 months of using AHMD. Patients have reported finding the device reliable, easy to use, and beneficial in reducing the need for frequent nursing visits. 

Despite its efficacy, challenges remain in implementing automated home medication dispensers effectively in home care settings. Barriers such as limited exposure and knowledge of e-health, lack of necessary devices, and financial constraints need to be addressed. Conversely, facilitating factors such as ease of use and improved communication can enhance the adoption and integration of automated home medication dispensers into routine care practices. 

Understanding these barriers and facilitators is essential for developing tailored strategies to successfully implement automated home medication dispensers in home care settings. By addressing these factors, home care organisations can optimise the use of AHMDs and ultimately improve medication adherence and health outcomes for older adults with chronic diseases. 

A study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators for implementing AHMD in home care from the perspective of home care nurses in the Netherlands. Home care organisations can use this knowledge to develop tailored strategies for implementing AHMD. 

The study is available in JBI Evidence Implementation.

Resources

Barriers and facilitators for implementation of automated home medication dispensers in home care from Dutch professionals’ perspective: a qualitative study 
Mostert, Cheryl; de Man-van Ginkel, Janneke; van Dijk, Monique; Ista, Erwin  
JBI Evidence Implementation. 22(1):81-96, February 2024.