Search

Modernizing inhaled medications through digital technology can help address persistent problems of non-adherence and poor inhaler technique in patients with obstructive lung diseases. With a growing body of supportive clinical studies, advances in digital inhaler sensors and platforms, greater support from payers and healthcare organizations, significant growth with these technologies is expected. While all digital (smart) inhalers record adherence, these are distinguished by their compatibility with commercial inhalers, capabilities to guide inhaler technique, use of patient-reported outcomes, and user-friendliness for both the healthcare professional (HCP) and patient. Due to the complexity and novelty of employing digital inhalers, collaboration with multiple entities within health systems is necessary and a well-planned integration is needed. For HCPs and patients, cybersecurity and privacy are critical, it will require review by each healthcare organization. In the US, some payers reimburse for remote monitoring using digital inhalers, but reimbursement is currently unavailable in other countries. There are several models for remote patient care, as employing an active, ongoing digital interface between the HCP and patient or they may choose to only review data at clinical encounters. Personalization of therapies and feedback are key to success. While digital inhaler malfunction uncommonly occurs, patient attrition over a year is significant. Some patients will be challenged to use digital platforms or have the necessary technology. Additional research is needed to address cost-effectiveness, in vivo accuracy of inspiratory measurement capable devices, ability to teach inhaler technique, their application for monitoring lung function, and lastly real-world adoption and implementation in routine clinical practice.

BackgroundClinical guidelines recommend specific targets for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Furthermore, individual variability in lipid response to statin therapy requires assessment of the association in diverse populations.AimTo assess whether lower concentrations of LDL-C and non-HDL-C are associated with a reduced risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in primary prevention of CVD.Design & settingAn international, new-user, cohort study will be undertaken. It will use data from three electronic health record databases from three global regions: Clinical Practice Research Datalink, UK; PREDICT-CVD, New Zealand (NZ); and the Clinical Data and Analysis Reporting System, Hong Kong (HK).MethodNew statin users without a history of atherosclerotic CVD, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease, with baseline and follow-up lipid levels will be eligible for inclusion. Patients will be classified according to LDL-C (ConclusionResults will inform clinicians about the benefits of achieving guideline recommended concentrations of LDL-C for primary prevention of CVD.

Adherence to treatment in psychiatry is pivotal for achieving and maintaining good health outcomes. Yet, despite the vast amount of research into adherence, treatment adherence remains suboptimal. There is a need for everyone to take an active role in addressing non-adherence if we are to realize the full benefits of available treatments. This chapter introduces the concept of adherence and discusses the factors influencing adherence in psychiatry. The adherence literature is then reviewed, and results from past adherence interventions summarized to explain why non-adherence occurs from an individual patient perspective. A perceptions and practicalities approach to adherence is then presented to help guide the design and delivery of patient-centred adherence support. This chapter serves as a practical guide to adherence for health care providers and others interested in supporting adherence to treatment in psychiatry.

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows:Main objectives• To determine the effectiveness of theory-based and non-theory based health psychology interventions for improving adherenceto maintenance therapy in adults with asthmaSecondary objectives• To compare the effectiveness of adherence interventions which are based on theory, as defined by the Theory Coding Scheme (TCS), to interventions which are not theory-based• To identify and describe, using the TSC and Theoretical Domain Framework (TDF), the different health psychology theories which have been used in interventions to improve adherence to maintenance therapy in adults with asthma• To evaluate the extent to which health psychology theory has been applied to the development of adherence interventions inasthma

© 2018 The Cochrane Collaboration. This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: To determine the effectiveness of digital adherence interventions for improving adherence to maintenance treatments in asthma.