Possibilities of Digitalization and Service Design in the Development of Patient Adherence

Abstract

In parallel with the development of modern health systems and the growth of the welfare state, diseases have shifted towards chronic diseases. Today, instead of rapid-onset infections, most resources are focused on the long-term treatment of mostly lifelong chronic conditions. The condition for the effective use of therapies is to take the specified dose with the prescribed frequency and for the required period of time. If these parameters are met, we can talk about patient collaboration or adherence. For certain diseases and treatments, adherence is critically low. In the case of complex preparations to be taken several times a day, or diseases that do not cause serious, noticeable complaints, the initial number of patients treated is reduced to a fraction within a short time. As a result, economic harm is perceived not only by the patient but also by all those involved in the health care system, including pharmaceutical companies. However, the factors influencing patient collaboration vary widely. In order to achieve high adherence, the goal is to develop health services that coordinate the actors involved, the infrastructure, the communication, the material components to improve the user experience. As a user-centered methodology, service design can play a prominent role in the design of therapeutic services, contributing to the reduction of uncertainties in innovation processes. In my study, I assess the digital toolkit of patient education in Hungarian society. The aim is to explore digital tools and technologies that can contribute to the development of health awareness and education so that both science and the pharmaceutical and technology companies that exploit it can apply the results of research.