Patient Feedback on a Mobile Medication Adherence App for Buprenorphine and Naloxone: Closed and Open-Ended Survey on Feasibility and Acceptability (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND Opioid use disorders (OUD) impact the health and well-being of millions of Americans. Buprenorphine or buprenorphine/naloxone (BUP/NAL) can reduce opioid overdose deaths, decrease misuse, and improve quality of life. Unfortunately, poor medication adherence is a primary barrier to long-term efficacy of BUP/NAL. OBJECTIVE The intent of this investigation was to examine qualitative and quantitative patient feedback on a Bluetooth-enabled pill bottle cap and associated mobile application for patients prescribed BUP/NAL for an OUD. METHODS A convenience sample at an OUD outpatient clinic were asked about medication adherence, opioid cravings, experience with technology, and their existent support system through a brief, electronic survey. Patients also provided detailed feedback on features being considered for inclusion in a new technology designed to increase medication adherence, such as inclusion of a personal motivational factor, craving and stress tracking, incentives, and virtual coaching. RESULTS Twenty people (n=20) with an OUD who were prescribed BUP/NAL participated. Participants mean age was 34 years, 65% were female, and 80% Caucasian. Participants had the opportunity to select the most useful, second most useful, and least useful features presented; the large majority indicated that motivational reminders would be most useful (42.1%), followed by craving and stress tracking (26.3%) and online support forums (21.1%). CONCLUSIONS Incorporating these suggestions for the described pill-bottle technology may encourage the use of the platform, as well as allow technology developers and BUP/NAL providers to modify this tool for different patient populations. CLINICALTRIAL N/A