Using Handheld Devices to Promote Medication Adherence in Chronic Illness

Medication adherence is a key factor in maintaining optimal health outcomes in chronic illness. Best practices have not yet been identified to measure and increase adherence. The objective was to examine adherence related to the use of handheld devices that delivered electronic medication reminders in a sample of adults experiencing a chronic illness. Health literacy was assessed to reflect patient understanding of the medications prescribed by their health care providers. Study participants were given handheld devices that sounded alarms as medication reminders. The adherence rate was 89.64%, indicating that most participants remembered their medications.