Table 1

Use of various adherence aids in 289 adults with diabetes

Adherence Aid
Number
%

I use a day-of-the-week pill box
143
49.5
I put my pills in a special place that reminds me
117
40.5
A daily event (a meal, TV show, bedtime, brushing my teeth) reminds me
50
17.3
My family or friends remind me
27
9.3
I check off my medicines on a list
12
4.2
Someone gives me my medicines each time
10
3.5
I move the medicines from one place to another
9
3.1
I use an electronic pill box or dispenser
4
1.4
I mark a calendar or diary when I take my medicines
3
1.0
The pharmacy makes special packets of pills for each time I take my medicine
3
1.0
I set a timer
3
1.0
I leave a note for myself
3
1.0
My pager beeps to remind me
2
0.7
I move my watch or jewelry from one hand to the other
1
0.4
I receive a phone call to remind me
0
0
Any one or more of the above
231
79.9

37% of subjects reported using more than one adherence aid.

Littenberg et al. BMC Family Practice 2006 7:1   doi:10.1186/1471-2296-7-1