Knowledge and perception of mHealth medication adherence applications among pharmacists and pharmacy students in Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The advances in digital health, including mobile healthcare (mHealth) medication adherence applications (MApps), have been demonstrated to support medication adherence and improve health outcomes. However, there remains a significant gap in the understanding of MApps among healthcare professionals, particularly in pharmacy. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and perception of the MApps among pharmacy stakeholders. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 223 pharmacists and pharmacy students in the Jazan region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) between 1st and 30th April 2023. The survey collected information about the participants' socio-demographics, knowledge, and perception of the MApps. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in IBM SPSS 28.0. Among the 223 participants included in the study, 105 (47.1%) were pharmacists and 118 (52.9%) were students. Most participants were females (72.6%) and aged 18-30 years (70.4%). About half of the total participants demonstrated poor knowledge of the MApps [pharmacists (48.0%), and students (42.0%)], who mainly encountered <i>Medisafe</i> (18.1%) or <i>Pills</i> (17.0%) MApps, respectively. Most participants had a positive perception of the usefulness of the MApps (pharmacists, 79.0%; students, 80.0%). Notably, over 85% of the participants expressed willingness to know and provide guidance on MApps, with over 50% willing to recommend it to the patients. In conclusion, the study demonstrates limited knowledge with a positive perception of mHealth medication adherence applications among pharmacists and pharmacy students. Integrating digital adherence tools like the MApps into pharmacy training and professional development could significantly improve professional practice competencies, and optimize healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

数字健康领域的相关进展已被证实可有效提升患者用药依从性并改善健康结局，其中涵盖移动医疗（mHealth）用药依从性应用程序（MApps）。然而，医疗健康从业者，尤其是药学领域从业者，对MApps的认知仍存在显著不足。本研究旨在评估药学利益相关者对MApps的认知与态度。本研究于2023年4月1日至30日，在沙特阿拉伯王国（Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, KSA）吉赞地区开展一项横断面线上调查，共纳入223名药剂师与药学专业学生作为研究对象。本次调查收集了研究对象的社会人口学特征、对MApps的认知水平与态度相关信息。采用IBM SPSS 28.0软件进行描述性统计分析。本次纳入的223名研究对象中，105人（47.1%）为在职药剂师，118人（52.9%）为药学专业学生。多数研究对象为女性（72.6%），年龄集中在18至30岁区间（70.4%）。约半数研究对象对MApps的认知水平不佳：其中在职药剂师占比48.0%，药学学生占比42.0%；两类人群主要接触的MApps分别为Medisafe（18.1%）与Pills（17.0%）。多数研究对象对MApps的实用性持积极态度，其中在职药剂师群体占比79.0%，药学学生群体占比80.0%。值得注意的是，超85%的研究对象表示愿意学习MApps相关知识并为患者提供用药指导，超50%的受访者愿意向患者推荐此类应用程序。综上，本研究显示，在职药剂师与药学专业学生对mHealth用药依从性应用程序的认知水平有限，但对其持积极态度。将MApps这类数字化用药依从性工具纳入药学培训与职业发展体系，可显著提升从业者的专业实践能力，优化医疗服务质量并改善患者健康结局。