The challenges of using medication event monitoring technology with pediatric transplant patients

Abstract

This study investigated the advantages and challenges of using Medication Electronic Monitoring System (MEMS) technology to examine adherence among pediatric kidney transplant patients. Twenty-nine patients participated in the study, with a mean age of 14.03 yr (SD = 3.34, range 8–19 yr). Patients were given a MEMS bottle and cap to be used with their primary immunosuppressant medication over a three-month period. Issues related to study eligibility, recruitment, and participant maintenance were recorded. Patients completed the Debriefing Form regarding their experiences with the MEMS. Many younger patients were on liquid medications affecting the feasibility of this technology across ages. Acceptance of this technology proved difficult, as many patients either declined upfront or dropped out because they did not want to use the MEMS. Of the final sample, 41% found transferring medication into the MEMS bottle difficult and 27.2% reported that the MEMS was a burden and/or difficult to transport. Another 22% of the patients reported that using the MEMS changed their routine, and 10.2% worried about missing their medications. Pediatric transplant centers should be cautious about solely relying on MEMS to examine adherence until more research is conducted on the feasibility, acceptance, and utility of this technology.