Over the past 6 months Chiptech have been providing electronic Pill Dispensers to care agencies and pharmacies to determine their usability in helping to assist people in the community to take their medication correctly. Nurse Maude recently conducted a usability study of an electronic medication dispenser for selected clients, and their findings are outlined below. 

Findings
Health professionals and clients agreed that the electronic medication dispenser had a positive impact on medication compliance, client independence, and control over their medications and their lives. The electronic medication dispenser was acceptable to both parties, once they had become familiar with it and could see the benefits that clients had gained. Both health professionals and clients stated that client selection and good communication were important to the successful use of the electronic medications dispenser. Health professionals saw the electronic medication dispenser as a valuable e-health tool that provided a simple solution for selected clients. They saw this application of an e-health tool as an opportunity to introduce e-health innovation to clinical practice. They could also see the potential for improved efficiency and reduced costs. Health professionals were concerned about two key issues, namely ensuring that the electronic medication dispenser labeling complied with the law and managing the additional work required when initiating the use of the electronic medications dispenser. They also raised the issue of other health professionals and clients relatives being concerned about reduced frequency of support worker visits. Clients stated that the electronic medications dispenser was easy to use and that they felt more empowered by the electronic system than by support worker visits. 

Interested in more information on the Pill Dispenser? 
Please contact Jonathan