DiCE Confirmatory Pilots - Returns Data

This dataset contains information on pillbox returns collected during the DICE Deliverable 4.4 (D4.4) confirmatory pilot studies conducted in Belgium, Slovenia, and Spain. These pilot studies were part of Work Package 4 of the Digital Health in the Circular Economy (DICE) project and aimed to evaluate an integrated return ecosystem for small digital health devices. The ecosystem combined electronic pillboxes, motivational strategies, physical collection points equipped with GRIN smart collection machines, and postal return options. The dataset includes whether the pillboxes used by participants were returned through a GRIN smart collection container, via the postal system, directly to the research team, or not returneD. Return dates are also included, allowing researchers to determine whether devices were returned within the pilot study period or after its completion, when participants were already aware of the study objectives, meaning they knew they had the possibility of returning it through different available channels. Each record includes the country (also separated into individual worksheets within the Excel file), the assigned motivational strategy condition, the participant code, the nearest GRIN collection point to the address provided by the participant, the serial number of the each pillbox device (Scala, TabTime, or E-pill), and information on the return method and return date whenever a device was returned. The dataset also identifies participants who withdrew from the study (highlighted in red) and participants who may have been influenced by researcher contact because they requested additional information about the return process (highlighted in orange). The dataset has been anonymized and does not contain direct personal identifiers such as names, addresses, or contact details. The data were collected to assess return rates across the different pilot countries. Through the participant code, the dataset can also be linked to other pilot study datasets, including sociodemographic information, post-study questionnaire responses, and evaluations of the motivational strategies. Return behavior was measured using unique participant-linked identifiers, enabling researchers to track whether devices were returned, when they were returned, and through which return channel, without relying solely on self-reported behavior.