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Exploring the Fit Between the Outputs of Freely Available Medication Adherence Apps and Users' Needs: Mixed Methods
Kirstin Messner1, Vanessa Sutter1,2, Samuel Allemann1
1Department Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
JMIR Mhealth and Uhealth
|December 16, 2025
Summary
Smartphone adherence apps partially meet user needs, particularly regarding data interpretation with healthcare professionals (HCPs). Apps can enhance patient care but do not replace HCPs.
Area of Science:
- Digital Health
- Health Informatics
- Mobile Health (mHealth)
Background:
- Medication nonadherence is a major obstacle to successful therapy.
- Smartphone applications offer potential for simple adherence interventions.
- Existing adherence apps vary widely in content, quality, and data output.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess smartphone adherence app outputs against desirable features.
- To explore user needs for adherence app features.
- To evaluate the alignment between app features and user requirements.
Main Methods:
- Searched app repositories for adherence apps, screening 80 for eligibility.
- Included 9 free apps for analysis of output features.
- Conducted focus groups (n=8) and an online survey (n=42) to determine user needs.
Main Results:
- Tracking history was the most common feature (8/9 apps); other desirable features were less frequent.
- Users desire features like professional feedback, intake recommendations, and HCP discussion options.
- Tracking history was most desired (mean 5.29), while rewards were least desired (mean 2.81).
Conclusions:
- Freely available adherence app outputs only partially align with user needs.
- Users prioritize data interpretation and discussion with healthcare professionals (HCPs).
- Adherence apps can supplement, not replace, HCPs in patient care.
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