Study Details
The three stages of
Take-It Too
Stage 1
In Stage 1 of the TAKE-IT TOO study, separate focus group of patients, parents, and transplant healthcare professionals will be held. The patient and parent focus groups will discuss the challenges of medication adherence, things that help them stick to their medication schedules, and what kinds of technology they find helpful. The healthcare professional focus groups will discuss how to fit coaching interventions and online tracking of their patients’ adherence into their daily routines.
After all the focus groups have been completed, Dr. Annette DeVito Dabbs will lead analyses at the Qualitative Analysis Center in Pittsburgh. The results of these analyses will be shared with the stakeholder advisory panel (an independent group of parents, patients, and healthcare professionals), who will make recommendations about how to adapt the TAKE-IT intervention for use in the real world. Information from the focus groups will also help guide Vaica Medical in the design of the new e-pillbox and companion website in stage 2.
What is it like to be in a focus group? -- Fun!
Focus groups are round table discussions that promote open conversation about specific topics. Focus groups are a common method in both industry and research to collect valuable data on people’s opinions on anything from food to medical adherence. Focus groups are composed of the participants, a facilitator and an observer. The facilitator will guide the conversation, make sure the participants feel comfortable, and keep the group on topic. The observer will observe the session and take notes, and help the facilitator if necessary.
All focus groups will be audio-recorded.
Participating in focus groups is not only a productive way to help the advancement of science but is fun! By participating, you can help change the way young transplant patients are cared for. Make your opinions heard! Find out if you qualify as a parent , patient or health care professional!
Stage 2
In Stage 2, patients will participate in a series of 3 one-on-one device-development sessions, providing input and feedback on the design of a new electronic pillbox. After each session, the ideas and opinions of participants will be sent to Vaica. At the first session, participants will look at images of possible pillbox designs. At the next session, they will be able to touch and examine models, and at the third session, they will get a prototype to try out. Then they will test the new electronic pillbox at home for 3 weeks. This is a unique opportunity to make sure that a new product is designed the way you like it!
Health care professionals will also participate in a series of 3 one-on-one sessions to provide input and feedback on the design of the adherence-tracking website.
By participating in these one-on-one sessions, you can help design a new tool to help young transplant patients take their medications on time every time. Become a designer! Make your opinions heard! Find out if you qualify as a patient or health care professional!
Current Vaica e-Pillbox
Even though there are many useful features on the current Vaica electronic pillbox, it is large and may not suit young people. Stage 2 of TAKE-IT TOO will focus on inventing and perfecting a new e-pillbox and companion website specifically for young people.
Stage 3
In Stage 3 centers will be randomly assigned to the new intervention, or usual care (control). Adherence for participants at all centers will be measured with the new TAKE-IT TOO electronic pillbox.
Participants at ‘Intervention’ centers will receive the adapted TAKE-IT intervention, and will be able to get text message dose reminders from the pillbox. Their treating teams will also use the new adherence tracking website. Participants at ‘Usual care’ centers will use the new electronic pillbox, but will nothing else will change about their care.