System Usability of the MedTracks App to Aid Medication Adherence

Medication adherence in chronic disease remains a significant global challenge, contributing to poorer health outcomes and increased healthcare costs. Although efforts have been made to improve adherence, non-adherence continues to be a major issue, particularly for people managing long-term conditions rather than short-term illnesses.

Research suggests that improving medication adherence can have substantial benefits, but there is no single solution that completely resolves the problem. Reasons for non-adherence can be broadly divided into intentional and unintentional factors. One of the most common unintentional reasons is simply forgetting to take medication, highlighting the potential value of reminder-based interventions.

While face-to-face approaches have been effective in improving adherence, digital technologies are increasingly being explored as accessible and scalable alternatives. Smartphone ownership is now widespread, providing opportunities for mobile health applications that support medication management. Evidence indicates that electronic reminders, including text messages and app-based notifications, can improve adherence and are often associated with high levels of user satisfaction.

Developing long-term medication-taking habits is an important aspect of adherence, and personalised approaches may be particularly effective. Technology can help support these approaches by tailoring reminders and routines to individual users. Research into music and memory suggests that music can have a strong and lasting connection to memory, even in people experiencing cognitive decline.

The MedTracks app aims to use this principle by incorporating user-selected music into medication reminders. By using music that has personal significance for each individual, the app seeks to create a more engaging and memorable reminder system. This study therefore aims to evaluate the usability and usefulness of the MedTracks app and assess whether it can improve self-reported medication adherence. Given the ongoing challenges associated with medication adherence, evaluating innovative technological solutions such as MedTracks remains an important area of research.

Inclusion criteria

• NHS Highland registered patient
• Adults aged 40 and above
• Able to understand the Participant Information Sheet, able to provide written informed consent electronically and complete self-reporting eligibility questionnaire
• Volunteers who take 2 or more different prescription oral medications
• Owning a compatible smartphone (device with Android 8.0 or higher (mid

• or alternatively iPhone with iOS 12.0 or higher (mid 2018). 6) Willing for the MedTracks app to be 'active' on the smartphone device for the duration of the Test Phase, including active reliable internet connection.

Exclusion criteria

• Non-NHS Highland patient
• Age <40
• Unable to provide written informed consent electronically or not able to understand the Participant Information Sheet
• Currently using an existing app to help with remembering to take their medication
• Vulnerable people deemed inappropriate to approach e.g. prisoners
• Not owning* a smartphone suitable for accessing the app (*for purposes of the study "own" means to consider the device to be their own personal item that they access independently)
• Currently taking part in an interventional trial if being in another study is an exclusion criteria for the other study.