Youth perspectives on mobile health adherence interventions: A qualitative study guided by the supportive accountability model.
Caitlin S Sayegh, Ellen Iverson, Karen K MacDonell and 2 others
PMID 37995490WHAT IT FOUND
Youth with chronic conditions found human coaching more effective than automated reminders for medication adherence.
Calls created accountability through personal connection, while texts offered flexibility. Preferences varied individually, suggesting clinicians should ask patients which medium feels most supportive.
Key findings
01Participants reported that human coaching helped them develop routines and strategies for medication adherence, with some maintaining these habits after the intervention ended.
02Youth receiving phone call coaching described a deeper personal connection and felt motivated to avoid disappointing their coaches, whereas text coaching participants felt cared for but did not report the same sense of obligation.
03Individual preferences for intervention medium varied significantly, with some youth finding calls disruptive and others preferring texts for their flexibility and lower social demand.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The study had a small sample size (n=22) and was an initial exploration, so findings are not generalizable to all youth with chronic conditions. Participants were mostly Latinx and Black youth in Los Angeles, limiting applicability to other demographic groups. Only 65% of the original pilot trial participants agreed to be interviewed, potentially introducing bias toward those with positive experiences. The study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have influenced how participants perceived remote support and isolation. As a qualitative study, it reports themes and perspectives, not causal effects or efficacy outcomes.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that phone calls are universally superior to texts for medication adherence. While calls fostered stronger accountability bonds, many participants found them disruptive and preferred the flexibility of texts. The study highlights individual preference, not a single best intervention.