Design and prototype of TOMO: an app for improving drug resistant TB treatment adherence
Penulis/Author
Anis Fuad, S.Ked., DEA. (1); Guntur Budi Herwanto, S.Kom., M.Cs. (2); Ariani Arista Putri Pertiwi, S.Kep., Ns., MAN., DNP. (3); SISKA DIAN W (4); Ahmad Watsiq Maula (6); Diyah Utami Kusumaning Putri, S.Kom., M.Sc., M.Cs. (7); Prof. dr. Ari Probandari, MPH, Ph.D (8); dr. Riris Andono Ahmad, MPH, Ph.D (9)
Tanggal/Date
29 2021
Kata Kunci/Keyword
Abstrak/Abstract
Background: Drug resistance and multi drugs tuberculosis (DR/MDR- TB) are associated with patients' low adherence to undergoing complex treatment. Driven by the increasing use and penetration of a smartphone and the End of TB Strategy that seeks for digital health solution, Center for Tropical Medicine Universitas Gadjah Mada has developed TOMO, an Android-based app for improving medication adherence in MDR-TB.
Objective: This paper aims to present the sequential steps to develop the app, its general architecture, and its functionalities.
Methods: It is a design thinking process involving two MDR-TB referral centers, district health offices, primary health centers, and MDR-TB patients in Central Java and Yogyakarta, Indonesia. We adopted the Principles for Digital Development to develop and design the app. MDR-TB treatment guideline from the Indonesian Ministry of Health was used to develop functionalities of the app for improving adherence.
Results: TOMO app could be used by patients, primary health centers, clinical teams, and case managers. The app prototype features include adverse event records and reports, medication-taking reminders, and communication between the patient and the TB-MDR case manager. We have successfully tested the functionalities based on four use cases: patients with high adherence, patients with low adherence, patients with adverse events, and patients following treatment in the primary health center without any visit to the MDR-TB center. Conclusion: TOMO app has contributed to the limited body of literature on improving TB-MDR adherence with digital health intervention, especially using a health app. The app has been tested using four scenarios. We will follow up with usability testing before implementing the app in a real setting.
