Another Report On QuiqMeds

I feel like I am becoming a cheerleader or spokesperson for QuiqMeds, without even seeing it in action. In any case, I have nothing to do with the company, but I think it is a neat technology /device that allows for patients and caregivers to get their medications at the doctor's office and eliminate that step of going to the pharmacy.

As I can attest second hand, when my wife takes our kids to the pediatrician and gets a script, she doesn't go directly the pharmacy unless it is on her way home (which it is not). Even if she leaves the kids with the nanny and gets her own script from her MD, chances are it will sit in the car, her purse or drawer for at least two or three days.

With QuikMeds, the doctor can dispense medications from a machine with a few touches of a screen. I have some problems with this, but I assume that he company has already taken security, and compliance measures into account. My worries being the "freshness" of the medications, the waste of the medications not filled, the accuracy, etc... All the issues that arise without the human touch of a pharmacist - plus the trust that the medication is the proper medication.

Can I trust that the person who checked the machine and loaded the meds is not a junkie or thief who replaced all the narcotics with OTC generic headache pills? Maybe they do not even dispense these types of meds? That being said, I will check into the company and try to get a demonstration.

Here is a link to a short article and the video of a story that ran last week on CBS 3.

An Abstract That Makes You Go Duh

I have read a couple of interesting abstracts over the last few days but this one just struck me as a "duh, of course" finding. I am all for research in developing countries, and for studies regarding technology for health promotion and medication adherence - I mean I work for a healthcare technology company that is focused on medication adherence - BUT this study just seems a little unnecessary and the findings a little weak for me to digest. I would like to know how much it cost and who had the bright idea to do this. Was an all expense trip to Peru part of the reasoning?

I am probably just a little miffed because when I read the title I was pretty excited to see the paper - but when I read the abstract, I was disappointed. This must of been how my 6th grade teacher felt about my book report on The Old Man and the Sea: a man went fishing and caught a fish.

Here is the provisional abstract for you to decide from BMC:

Access, use and perceptions regarding Internet, cell phones and PDAs as a means for health promotion for people living with HIV in Peru

Background:
Internet tools, cell phones, and other information and communication technologies are being used by HIV-positive people on their own initiative. Little is known about the perceptions of HIV-positive people towards these technologies in Peru. The purpose of this paper is to report on perceptions towards use of information and communication technologies as a means to support antiretroviral medication adherence and HIV transmission risk reduction.

Methods:
We conducted a qualitative study (in-depth interviews) among adult people living with HIV in two community-based clinics in Peru.

Results:
31 HIV-positive individuals in Lima were interviewed (n = 28 men, 3 women). People living with HIV in Peru are using tools such as cell phones, and the Internet (via E-mail, chat, list-serves) to support their HIV care and to make social and sexual connections. In general, they have positive perceptions about using the Internet, cell phones and PDA for HIV health promotion interventions.

Conclusions:
Health promotion interventions using information and communication technology tools among people living with HIV in resource-constrained settings may be acceptable and feasible, and can build on existing patterns of use.