Most older citizen are prescribed medicine which should be taken 2-3 times a day, if not taken properly it can lead to poor health outcomes, increased hospitalizations, and higher healthcare costs. To resolve these problems an automated reminder medicine boxes are very useful. Research on automated reminder medicine boxes has focused on various aspects of their design. This includes features like programmable alarms, compartmentalized storage, visual or auditory reminders, and connectivity options. Studies have highlighted the importance of designing user-friendly interfaces for older adults and patients with diverse needs. The ease of use, intuitiveness, and accessibility of the devices are crucial factors that contribute to user acceptance and long-term adherence. Many studies have examined the impact of automated reminder medicine boxes on medication adherence rate. Overall, the findings suggest a positive effect, with improved adherence and a reduction in medication errors. However, the effectiveness may vary depending on individual factors, such as cognitive abilities, technology familiarities, and health conditions.
Some research has explored the integration of automated reminder medicine boxes with electronic health records, caregiver portals, or telehealth platforms. This integration allows healthcare providers and caregivers to monitor medication adherence, track patient progress, and provide remote support. Tailoring reminder systems to individual needs and preferences has been a topic of interest. This includes customizable dosing schedules, reminder alerts based on specific medication regimens, and the ability to adapt reminders to accommodate changes in the patient’s health status. This also addresses challenges and limitations associated with automated reminder medicine boxes. These include technological issues, cost considerations, patient privacy concerns, and the need for further research to optimize the design and evaluate long-term outcomes.
The introduction of the study discusses the importance of patient-centered care (PCC) and value-based care (VBC) in healthcare. Patient-centered care is defined as care that respects and responds to individual patient preferences, needs, and values. It aims to improve clinical outcomes, quality of care, patient satisfaction, and reduce healthcare costs and disparities. Value-based care, on the other hand, prioritizes health outcomes that matter to patients relative to the cost of achieving those outcomes.
The healthcare system is transitioning from a fee-for-service model to a fee-for-value model, with a focus on patient-centeredness. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has implemented value-based purchasing programs that tie reimbursement to quality or value. Person and Community Engagement is identified as one of the key domains of value-based purchasing, emphasizing the importance of involving patients in decision-making. Measuring patient experience and preferences can be challenging due to overlapping terms such as satisfaction, engagement, perceptions, priorities, values, and preferences. Patient surveys are valuable tools to identify patient preferences and values. Patients value both the clinical and interpersonal qualities of care, with communication and shared decision-making being highly important. There are variations in patient preferences based on demographics and reasons for seeking care. Low-income patients, those with psychosocial problems, and those feeling unwell prioritize good communication and personal interaction. Differences in race, education level, and socioeconomic status also influence healthcare-related beliefs, practices, and values.
The study aims to identify the most important aspects of care for patients and examine differences in preferences among different patient demographics. The study focuses on five domains of healthcare experience: patient-physician relationship, personal health responsibility, tests/procedures, medications, and cost of care. These domains have been identified as key components of patient satisfaction in previous studies. The study uses a survey to assess patients' priorities across these five domains and examines potential associations between patient priorities and demographic profiles. The outcomes measured include the specific qualities most frequently ranked as the number one choice, the second and third choices, and the association between demographic factors and the top choices in each healthcare domain. Overall, the study aims to provide insights into patient priorities and demographic associations, allowing for a more targeted approach in designing and implementing value-based care models in healthcare.
The paper highlights the importance of medication adherence and the negative consequences of forgetting doses. It also mentions various technological solutions such as electronic reminders, smartphone applications, and the medication organizers. The research paper discusses the benefits of using smartphones and applications to set reminders for medication doses. These reminders can be in the form of alarm clocks, notifications, or text messages. The paper also mentions the use of medication organizers, such as pill drawers, to help patients organize and remember their medications.
Furthermore, the paper references related works and studies that have explored the use of technology in medication management, including systems that monitor patients’ health status, provide medical advice, and facilitate the use of Arduino boards and Wi-Fi shields in the hardware setup for implementing the medication reminder system. Overall, the research paper emphasizes the potential of technology in improving medication adherence and patient outcomes. By leveraging smartphones, applications, and other devices, patients can receive timely reminders and effectively manage their medication schedule.
The aging population is a global concern, with the elderly facing significant challenges in their daily lives compared to younger generations. These challenges often result in degenerative and geriatric issues, leading to long-term medication dependance and increased vulnerability to potential harm in their daily living environment. Consequently, many seniors prefer residing in healthcare institutions rather than risking inadequate attention and support at home. However, the lack of standardized management in elderly care institutions hinders the industry’s development. One critical aspect of geriatric care is routine medication, which plays a vital role in the activities of daily living (ADLs) for many seniors. However, medication mismanagement poses a significant risk in care centers. Many centers still rely on manually operated medicine closets, which can lead to medication retardation, mismatch, or accidental over dosage due to inadvertent or careless actions by caregivers. While caregivers or family members usually deliver medicine while it runs out, any forgetfulness or delay in medication delivery can be seen as negligence in center medicine management.
To address these issues and improve medication management reliability, this research aims to design and develop a Medication Management System (MMS) that regulates medication management and automates medicine delivery using Unmanned Ariel Vehicle (UAVs). The objective is to enhance system automation and self-sufficiency in the context of elderly care centers. This paper reviews existing smart medicine box designs based on Internet of Things (IoT) and UAV delivery approaches and propose the MMS as the final research outcome
Drones offer an efficient and fast alternative for delivering medical supplies, particularly in rural areas, where traditional delivery methods may be slower and less efficient. Medical supplies, including items used for treating illnesses or injuries, have specific properties and storage requirements to prevent spoilage or defects. Traditionally, temperature monitoring during blood product delivery involves using a compact USB temperature monitoring system to record temperature readings. However, this method requires post-delivery temperature inspections using a laptop or PC, which can be time-consuming. To address this issue, remote temperature monitoring applications can eliminate the need for post-delivery inspections and provide a simplified method for monitoring temperature variations. A temperature monitoring system typically consists of a portable device that automatically records temperature readings over a specified period. These systems use temperature probes or sensors to collect and analyze experimental data, providing real-time analysis and alerts for parameters outside the acceptable range. Data retrieval can be done through cables, RFID, or wireless systems, and these systems are typically small, battery-powered, portable, and equipped with data storage and sensors. Different studies have explored temperature monitoring systems for specific applications. For example, a study developed a cost-effective temperature monitoring system for automated manufacturing applications, but it had limitations in temperature measurement accuracy. Comparative studies have been conducted to evaluate the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of different temperature sensors. These studies compared sensors such as DHT11, DHT22, and SHT71 for temperature and humidity measurement accuracy. Some studies have proposed smart gateways and wireless sensor data communication using GSM modules to enable real-time monitoring and remote control. However, none of these studies have explored the usage of mobile application-based temperature monitoring with location services specifically for blood delivery services. The primary objective of this study is to develop a mobile application-based temperature monitoring system with location services, cloud and local storage capabilities for redundancy.