Barriers and Drivers of Adopting a Digital Medication Adherence Technology: Understanding the Factor Analysis Results

Background: A new digital medicine technology combining an ingestible event monitoring (IEM) sensor with an oral antipsychotic to track ingestion and adherence may be beneficial. However, the likelihood of adoption by psychiatric providers is unclear.

Objective: To identify barriers and drivers to IEM platform adoption.

Methods: A survey of psychiatric providers treating seriously mentally ill SMI patients was conducted to assess drivers/barriers to IEM adoption. Factor analysis was performed on 11 items representing potential positive and negative assumptions about IEM adoption. Groups were compared on factor scores.

Results: A total of 131 providers (56% female, 76% physicians, mean age 48.1 yrs.) participated. Over 90% agreed adherence is important, visits allow sufficient time to monitor adherence (84.1%), and tailoring treatment to level of adherence would be beneficial (92.9%). Many (58%) reported that accurate adherence data would save time. Asking patients was the preferred method (95%) of assessing adherence. Factor analysis revealed four underlying barriers/drivers of IEM technology adoption: Factor (F)1 Logistical concerns and knowledge gaps; F2 Ability to influence patient engagement and outcomes; F3 Improving visit efficiency; and F4 Concerns of unfamiliarity with IEM output. Age was positively correlated with F1, there were no gender differences, and greater comfort with E.H.R. was associated with higher scores on F3 (ps < .05).

Conclusions: Psychiatric providers are concerned about medication adherence. Factor analysis identified underlying dimensions related to adoption of IEM platform. Group differences in factor scores indicate patterns and possible topics for provider education.

This poster was presented at the 32nd annual Psych Congress, held Oct. 3-6, 2019, in San Diego, California.