A Comparison of Barriers and Drivers Between Prescribing and Non-Prescribing Psychiatric Care Providers Regarding Use of Digital Medication Adherence Platforms

Background: Tracking medication adherence through an ingestible event monitoring (IEM) sensor could benefit seriously mentally ill patients (SMI). Psychiatric providers may be reluctant to introduce this technology for reasons yet unclear. Objective: Compare barriers and drivers of digital medicine technology adoption between psychiatric prescribers and non-prescribers that provide psychosocial and other therapeutic services to SMI patients.

Methods: Online survey of prescribers and non-prescribers assessed drivers and barriers to digital medicine adoption. Response to the question “IEM is in my patients’ best interest” was used as a proxy for positive attitude toward IEM platform.

Results: A total of 131 prescribers (56% female, 76% physicians, age 48.1 yrs.) and 75 non-prescribers (82.7% female, 14% PhD, 52% masters level counselor, 33% other MH counselor, age 45.5 yrs.) participated. Both prescribers (85.6%) and non-prescribers (74.7%) felt that digital medication adherence technology would improve outcomes and/or efficiency, and both groups valued outcomes over increases in efficiency. Whether IEM technology was in their patient’s best interest was predicted using logistic regression (R2=.513). Prescribers were more likely than non-prescribers to endorse the technology. Concern about potential required action driven by IEM data and potential for improved clinical alliance were among the statistically significant predictors (ps < .05).

Conclusions: Both psychiatric prescribers and non-prescribers believe that IEM can drive patient outcomes, engagement and increased efficiency. Barriers to IEM adoption included lack of clarity on how to respond to IEM data. Drivers included the potential of improved clinical alliance.

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