Can Smartphone Apps Keep AYA Oncology Patients Plugged in to Their Medication Routines?

The incidence of cancer among adolescents and young adults (AYA), or those 15-39 years old, has increased steadily over the last 25 years. Nearly 80,000 AYA individuals are diagnosed with cancer every year, and excluding homicide, suicide and unintentional injury, cancer is the leading cause of death among this age group.

Additionally, as overall survival and event-free survival rates have increased for both younger children and older adults with cancer, a startling trend has emerged: AYA oncology patients have not experienced these improved outcomes over time.

Several theories have been offered to explain the “AYA Gap.” As patients grow older, gain independence, move away from family and enter new stages in their lives, medication adherence often falls to the wayside.

“Unlike pediatric patients who probably have their parents administering medications to them, AYAs who are independent have to manage their medications on their own, while also balancing all the other responsibilities that come with being an AYA,” says Anthony Audino, MD, pediatric oncologist and member of the AYA Program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “They may not have their parents ‘reminding’ them to make doctors’ appointments or take important medications.”

Unfortunately, when patients don’t adhere to their medication regimens, their treatments can become less effective.

“Several studies have demonstrated that suboptimal adherence to medications can increase risk of relapse, hospitalizations and health care utilization,” says Dr. Audino, who is associate professor of pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. “One study even showed that among leukemia patients, less than 95% adherence to oral chemotherapy regimens was associated with a 2.7-fold increase in risk of relapse. The study also showed that adherence was much less in patients older than 12 years compared to those who were younger.”

With awareness of these risks, Dr. Audio and other researchers have begun exploring unique ways to support these patients and intervene. In a recent study, published in the Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology and led by Dr. Audino, 30 AYA oncology patients actively receiving treatment at Nationwide Children’s Hospital were asked to download a smartphone app, MedActionPlan Pro (MPP), to receive text messages and alerts to encourage medication adherence. This web-based program, which is fully integrated into electronic medical records, allows providers to create, print and share medication lists, treatment plans, taper schedules and education tools.

After the patients used the app for three months, researchers conducted semi-structured, qualitative interviews with them to learn about their app utilization, perceived improved medication adherence and any additional features they thought the application should have.

Results were positive. Every user reported that they experienced increased adherence to their medication regimens, decreased forgetfulness and improved organization. They also shared that text message reminders were the most helpful feature. Many participants felt that using the app encouraged them to form medication taking habits.

Some participants also offered feedback and ideas about additional features they felt would lead to even further improvements in their medication adherence.