Abstract 20052: The Digital Drag and Drop Pillbox: Design and Feasibility of a Skill-Based Education Model to Improve Medication Management

Objective: Poor medication adherence contributes to poor health outcomes and high health care costs. Current approaches for teaching patients to manage medications focus on information delivery and neglect key pedagogical principles. This study presents the design and feasibility testing for the “Digital Drag and Drop Pillbox” (D-3 Pillbox), a skill-based educational approach that engages patients and providers, measures performance, and generates reports of medication management skills. Methods: A single cohort convenience sample of patients with heart failure was taught pill management skills using a tablet-based D-3 Pillbox. Medication reconciliation was conducted and aptitude, performance (% completed), accuracy (% correct), and feasibility were measured. Results: Patients (n=25) were 59 (36-89) years old; 50% female; 62% black; 46% uninsured 46% had 7th grade education or below; and 31% scored very low for health literacy. Despite poor health literacy, 78% reported the D-3 Pillbox was easy to understand, easy to repeat-demonstrate (78%), and comfortable to use (tablet weight) (75%). Accurate medication recognition was achieved by discharge in 98%, yet only 25% of patients reported having a “good understanding of my responsibilities,” which highlights a major opportunity for outpatient reinforcement of medication management skills taught at discharge. Conclusion: The D-3 Pillbox is a feasible approach for teaching medication management skills, and can be used across clinical settings to reinforce skills and medication list accuracy. Electronic health record platforms that integrate skill-based education for medication management may improve adherence.