Patient compliance and text messaging

A clinical trial assessing glaucoma treatment compliance using text and telephone messaging technology has been launched by the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, US.

The technology has been developed by US firm MEMOTEXT to increase the adherence of glaucoma patients to their prescribed medication. Michael V. Boland, MD, PhD will run the 14-month study of 500 patients, which aims to increase patient compliance through text message and telephone reminders to take medication. Of the 500 participants, around 100 will be randomized to be included in the programme to increase adherence through technology; the remaining patients will be monitored for adherence to their glaucoma medications. The study is expected to be completed by mid-2010.

The study, “The Impact of Automated Dosing Reminders on Medication Adherence using HealthVault” is funded by Microsoft’s Be Well Fund.