Exploring the attitudes of adolescents with asthma towards monitoring and sharing of data on their inhaler use

Abstract

Electronic monitoring devices (EMDs) offer the most accurate solution for recording adherence to inhaled medication, however to ensure maximum impact it is important to understand patient attitudes towards them.

This study investigated the attitudes of adolescents with asthma towards the 'SmartTrack' Smart Inhaler – an EMD that records the date and time of every dose. For comparison, attitudes to existing monitoring methods such as self-report were also explored.

Seven participants used a SmartTrack for a month and completed three questionnaires and interviews at the beginning, middle and end of the trial. Questionnaires were also given to a parent per participant to investigate what they thought their child's attitudes would be.

Questionnaires from both adolescents and parents yielded significantly positive results towards having inhaler use monitored and shared with family or healthcare providers (p< 0.001). The interviews supported these findings, with adolescents expressing enthusiasm for utilising the device to prove their independence and demonstrate responsibility for their asthma. However, adolescents expressed concern for the social acceptability of the device in terms of the questions and attention its appearance could draw.

The findings suggest adolescents may be comfortable having their inhaler use monitored and shared with their parents or healthcare providers. Importantly, the results also highlight the necessity to involve patients throughout the development of these devices; to ensure their appearance and functionality are in line with user expectations and do not negatively affect their potential to accurately monitor medication-taking behaviour.