WEEK 3 DISCUSSION RESPONSES
Justina Okeke,
Thank you for the informative post. Hypertensive cases among African Americans are prevalent among the younger population compared to the White Americans (Davidson et al., 2016). The rising cases are attributed to low socioeconomic status, poor nutrition, and non-adherence. To attain control or reduction in the blood pressure levels among all populations, there is a need to devise ways to pass information and keep track of patient drug adherence. The use of the Medisafe app is a good intervention as it facilitates drug adherence by enabling patients to receive notifications and reminders on their phones once they have installed the app (Gianfranco, Dario, & Camilla, 2018). The way you have described this app proves that it is effective in solving uncontrolled hypertension among African Americans. The feature that allows the family to be notified is also impressive in that patients require the support of their loved ones in the face of chronic illness. Therefore, the Medisafe app is useful, and family and health care providers should support and advise the patient accordingly.
References
Davidson, T. M., McGillicuddy, J., Mueller, M., Brunner-Jackson, B., Favella, A., Anderson, A., … & Treiber, F. A. (2016). Evaluation of a mHealth medication regimen self-management program for African American and Hispanic uncontrolled hypertensives. Journal of personalized medicine, 5(4), 389-405.
Gianfranco, P., Dario, P., & Camilla, T. (2018). Use of Apps to Improve Drug Adherence in Hypertensive Patients. Drug Adherence in Hypertension and Cardiovascular Protection (pp. 283-293). Springer, Cham. Retrieved from: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-76593-8_21
Rachael Obi,
Thank you for the informative post. Non-compliance is the common cause of therapeutic failures in psychiatric failures. It is attributed to illness variables, patient variables such as culture and health beliefs, and patient-therapist variables encompassing trust and degree of information provided (Allan, & Hoffman, 2017). Integrating technology in ensuring that patients comply with medication has proven to be effective. Medisafe app is keen on providing the patients with information on drug pharmacokinetics, mode of action, and drug side effects to alleviate fear. Medisafe is a collaborative app; hence it will enhance patient-therapist interaction based on the clarity of how you have described its usage. The provision of reminders and notifications and reminders to the patient and family ensures that patients receive the necessary support mandatory in managing mental health disorders (Cramer & Rosenheck, 2018). With the feature of the Medisafe app mentioned, patients will be well informed on their medication, appointments, and any entries made on the journal sector. Mental health is vital for normal functioning, and with ongoing change, technology has proven to be effective in enabling a smooth transition.
References
Allan, S., & Hoffman. F. (2017). Drug Compliance and the Psychiatric Patient. Drug adherence and compliance in the management of Schizophrenia. Philadelphia. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2383345/
Cramer, J. A., & Rosenheck, R. (2018). Compliance with medication regimens for mental and physical disorders. Psychiatric Services, 49(2), 196-201. Retrieved from: https://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/ps.49.2.196
Rita Chioma,
You have described the use of the What’s up the app by clearly defining its purpose. Your post is informative and shows how anxiety and depression are rampant in society and the impact of mobile health apps in its management. Globally, the common cause of death is depression; there is a need to promote the allocation of resources to meet mental health needs. What’s up is designed based on cognitive-behavioral therapy principles, which include education on health thinking behavior, breathing techniques, exercises, personal diary records, and open forums that facilitate interaction with people with the same conditions (Rebedew, 2018). The app contains passcode with ensures privacy and security of the recorded information enabling patients to freely express their thoughts and feeling by writing (Kang et al., 2017). With the opportunity of the use of open forums, patients will feel calmer and more unrestricted in sharing their experiences regarding overcoming depression. The app also allows adding mental health professionals who will help in clarifying posted information and also guiding the discussion. Thus, it is essential to pay attention to the mental health of the people we interact with, as it is vital in normal functioning.
References
Kang, H. J., Bae, K-Y., Kim, S. W., Shin, H. Y., Shin, S., Yoon, J. S., Kim, J., M. (2017). Impact of anxiety and depression on physical health condition and disability in an elderly Korean population. Psychiatry Investigation, 14(3), 240-248.
Bottom of Form
Rebedew, D. (2018). Five Mobile Apps to Help Patients with Anxiety and Depression. Family Practice Management, 25(2), 1-4. Retrieved from: https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2018/0300/oa1.html