The Role of Information and Communication Technology Use in Predicting Adherence to Treatment in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Non-adherence to treatment prevents the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. This study aims to evaluate the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use in predicting adherence to treatment in patients with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD).

This cross-sectional study with a predictive correlational design was performed on 400 patients with CAD referred to public and private cardiology clinics in Kashan, Iran, from September 2020 to July 2021. A consecutive sampling technique was used to select the samples. The treatment adherence questionnaire and a researcher-made Information and Communication Technology Use (ICTU) scale were used to collect the data. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 16 using independent t-test, Pearson correlation test, and linear regression analysis.

The mean scores of treatment adherence and ICTU was 64.5±13.4 and 42.22±16.6, respectively. Linear regression analysis showed that the two ICTU domains of familiarity with ICT and the utilization of ICT together predicted 27% of variance in treatment adherence of CAD patients (P<0.001).

Adherence to treatment is higher in patients who use ICT tools for health purposes. It is recommended that health professionals and policymakers develop appropriate interventions to increase the ability of CAD patients to use ICT.