Medication adherence is a formidable challenge for the elderly who may have several prescribed medications while dealing with limited incomes and declining health. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the Liberty 6000, an automated capsule and tablet dispenser that provides proper medication dosages and is intended to encourage and track medication adherence. Seven focus groups were assembled; these comprised 49 men and women ages 65 to 98 years of Black, Anglo, and Hispanic descent who met the following criteria: living independently or semi-independently, had suffered one or more impairments, and were taking at least three prescription medications. Each focus group session lasted 90 minutes and was tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim, resulting in about 2,600 lines of text. Each question was designed to be open-ended to avoid introducing any bias that might influence the response. The Health Belief Model conceptually guided the study that addressed perceptions of illness susceptibility and severity, barriers, benefits, and cues to action associated with medication adherence. Main benefits of taking medications included avoiding inherited illnesses (or tendencies for illnesses), and reducing illness symptoms. Barriers to taking medications included forgetting, dexterity problems, and high cost. Benefits of the proposed intervention included reminding, caregiver notification, and providing a printed log of medications taken and missed. Barriers associated with the Liberty 6000 included its relatively large size, the difficulties that confronted older adults when loading the device, and its perceived cost. Using an adoption prediction model proposed a way to overcome barriers and encourage acceptance as well as a strategy to maintain acceptance over time. The model also can be used to evaluate a wide variety of medical devices for elderly people. This study identified the advantages and disadvantages of the Liberty 6000. Findings also suggest areas for further investigation by the nursing community and healthcare policy makers in finding solutions to the myriad problems faced by older people in medication adherence.

Detta examensarbete fokuserar på att designa och utveckla en doseringsask som kan underlätta medicindoseringsprocessen för användare, särskilt personer som lider av kroniska sjukdomar. Målet är att skapa en enkel och användarvänlig produkt som hjälper användarna att hålla reda på rätt dosering och tidpunkt för medicinering. Examensarbetet syftar till att konstruera och utveckla en innovativ doseringsprodukt som är skräddarsydd efter användarnas behov, samtidigt som det adresserar problemet med att människor ofta glömmer att ta sina mediciner. Produkten ska vara användarvänlig, hanterbar och portabel. Målet är att skapa ett väl genomtänkt slutkoncept som tillfredsställer alla användares behov och önskemål. För att uppnå detta tillämpades en metod som inkluderar en förstudiefas där både primär- och sekundärdata samlas in för att skaffa relevant kunskap inom ämnet. Intervjuer genomförs med personer som lider av kroniska sjukdomar för att erhålla specifik information om målgruppen och för att identifiera krav och önskvärda egenskaper. Idégenerering utförs genom användning av olika metoder för att generera en mångfald av koncept och lösningar. Med hjälp av prototyptester samt att kontinuerligt genomföra utvärderingar förbättrades produkten successivt. En viktig funktion i den nya produkten är dess förmåga att organisera medicinerna genom att ha två fack för varje dag. Detta underlättar för användarna att hålla koll på vilka mediciner som ska tas vid olika tidpunkter under dagen. Det gjordes också undersökningar för att bestämma den optimala volymen på varje fack, så att de kan rymma 12 medelstora tabletter och uppfylla kravet på produktens storlek. Materialvalet och dimensioneringen av asken gjordes noggrant för att säkerställa enkel rengöring och portabilitet. Produktens kvalitet och funktion testades noggrant för att säkerställa att den uppfyller användarnas behov. En trådlös anslutning till en mobilapplikation implementerades för övervakning och spårning av medicinering på distans. Bluetooth-modulen, knapparna och skärmen valdes noggrant för att passa askens dimensioner. Slutprodukten är en doseringsask som är ergonomiskt utformad. Dess funktioner, som organiserade fack för varje dag och trådlös anslutning till mobilapplikationen, ger användarna möjlighet till strukturerad och kontrollerad medicinering. / This thesis focuses on designing and developing a medication dispenser that can facilitate the medication dosing process for users, especially people suffering from chronic diseases. The goal is to create a simple and user-friendly product that helps users keep track of the correct dosage and timing of medication. The thesis aims to design and develop an innovative dosing product that is tailored to the needs of users while addressing the problem of people often forgetting to take their medications. The product must be user-friendly, manageable, and portable. The goal is to create a well-thought-out final concept that satisfies the needs and wishes of all users. To achieve this, a method was applied that includes a preliminary study phase where both primary and secondary data are collected to acquire relevant knowledge within the subject. Interviews were conducted with people suffering from chronic diseases to obtain specific information about the target group and to identify requirements and desirable characteristics. Idea generation was performed through the use of different methods to generate a diversity of concepts and solutions. With the help of prototype tests and continuous evaluations, the product was gradually improved. An important feature of the new product is its ability to organize the medicines by having two compartments for each day. This makes it easier for users to keep track of which medicines to take at different times during the day. Studies were also conducted to determine the optimal volume of each box so that it could accommodate 12 medium-sized tablets and meet the product size requirement. The material selection and dimensioning of the box were done carefully to ensure easy cleaning and portability. The quality and function of the product were thoroughly tested to ensure that they met the needs of users. A wireless connection to a mobile application was implemented for remote medication monitoring and tracking. The Bluetooth module, buttons, and screen were carefully selected to fit the dimensions of the box. The end product is a dosing box that is ergonomically designed. Its features, such as organized compartments for each day and wireless connection to the mobile application, give users the opportunity for structured and controlled medication.