CCCardiol CroatCardiologia CroaticaCardiol. Croat.1848-543X1848-5448Croatian Cardiac SocietyCC_11(10-11)_58910.15836/ccar2016.589Extended AbstractImpact of modern communication technologies in monitoring compliance of patients with chronic diseasehttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-0171-2344MatićNikolina1http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0896-3018KernJosipa2http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4334-1158MatićIvica3School of Nursing Vrapče, Zagreb, CroatiaSchool of Medicine University of Zagreb, Zagreb, CroatiaSchool of Nursing Mlinarska, Zagreb, CroatiaAddress for correspondence: Nikolina Matić, Škola za medicinske sestre Vrapče, Bolnička cesta 32, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia. / Phone: +385-98-624-507 / E-mail: nikolina.matic18@skole.hr1120161110-1158958927092016101020162016Croatian Cardiac SocietyKeywords: complianceinformation and communications technology
Introduction: Compliance is a term that applies to patient’s ability to correctly follow advice and instructions. It is a degree at which the patient follows a prescribed regimen that is harmonized with health care provider. The regimen includes medications, diet and physical activity. A compliant patient takes adequate medications in accurate doses, at the adequate time, during a long period of time. Compliance is a dynamical process, and there are moments in which patient can transcend from compliant to non-compliant. It is very important to realize in time when patient becomes non-compliant. Non-compliance is not seen visible immediately by physical symptoms or by worsening of the disease, so there is a great responsibility on nurses to estimate patient’s compliance. It is important to understand, and for the patient to understand, that a patient who is compliant has three times higher of good outcomes in comparison with a patient who is not compliant. (1) In modern medicine, compliance and communication often begin with the use of informational technologies. The use of information and communications technology (ICT) or services such as electronic mail or text messaging in communication between patients and health care providers is a relatively new trend that is growing in significance. (1) Among other things, this way of communication significantly improves patient compliance. In this investigation we wanted to define the prevalence of non-compliance and whether communication that implies the use of ICT affects compliance.
Methods: It was a prospective, interventional research including a group of 50 patients at the Department for Internal Medicine of University Hospital Centre Zagreb. After analyzing the initial questionnaire data, an interventional subgroup was formed. Interventional subgroup included patients who confirmed lack of compliance in adherence to follow-up. This subgroup received everyday reminder via e-mail, which represents a modern way of communication, and the subjects were poled again after three months.
Results: Interventional subgroup with every-day reminders had significantly improved their regularity of coming for regular follow-up. After use of ICT, non-compliance was reduced in terms of both picking the medications from the pharmacist and regularly taking the daily doses.
Conclusion: Based on this research we can conclude that patient compliance is a phenomenon that consists of many areas that can by additional improved by using ICT.
LiteratureMatićIKernJCisićRSMatićN. Virtual communication in nursing--are we ready? . 2014;68(1):7–14.24979890