The behavior of patients between doctor visits has been one of the most unmanageable components of managed care. When patients don't comply with their treatment regimens, particularly in chronic diseases like diabetes, epilepsy, hypertension or asthma, the result can be a trip to the emergency room, or worse. Not only can patient non-compliance result in overuse of high-cost care (like emergency room services), it can lead to an overall higher use of health care services and contribute to the long-term progression of a patient's disease. Patients do want to comply, but it can be difficult to keep track of medications, diets and symptoms, especially for the chronically ill or the aged, who often suffer from a combination of illnesses.
Early attempts to influence patient compliance included paging devices to remind patients to take pills, or educational visits to the home by nurses. But the confluence of microelectronics and the...
