Medication reminders: why users drop off
Adoption Analyst · 38 participants · 2 groups (people using the app, family carers) · 7 days
Summary
Most people who stopped using the app did so because reminders arrived at the wrong moment, not because they stopped valuing them. Morning routines, work and the school run were the most common clashes. People who stayed engaged were motivated by the streak counter and by carers being able to see progress. Carers were more positive about the app than the people using it, but raised concerns users did not mention.
Key themes
Reminder timing clashes with daily routine
63%Fixed reminder times did not fit busy mornings or shift work.
Reminders swiped away by mistake
45%People dismissed alerts while busy and then forgot to go back.
Wants a snooze or later option
32%Many asked for a way to be reminded again in 30 minutes.
Motivated by the streak counter
24%Seeing an unbroken run of days encouraged people to keep going.
Notable quotes
"If it knew my mornings, I'd never miss a dose."
"I swipe it away in the car and then it's gone."
"I'd love to see that Dad's taken them without having to ring him."
How the groups compared
- Agreements
- Both groups value reminders and want them to be more flexible.
- Divergences
- Carers rated the app highly. People using it were more frustrated, mainly about timing.
- Blind spots
- Carers raised worries about double dosing after a swiped reminder. No one using the app mentioned this.
Groups with fewer than five people are hidden in the anonymised version of this report.
Hypotheses to test
- Letting people set reminders around routines, such as 'after breakfast', will reduce missed doses more than fixed times.
- A snooze option will cut the number of reminders dismissed by mistake.
- A carer view will improve engagement for people who live alone.
Recommendations
| Recommendation | Evidence | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Add routine-based reminder times | Timing clash raised by 63% | High |
| Add a snooze option | Accidental dismissal raised by 45% | High |
| Confirm a dose was taken after a swiped reminder | Double dosing concern from carers | High |
| Explore an optional carer view | Strong carer interest | Medium |