1:1 Interview

Kiranpsomanathan
6 min readNov 8, 2023

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Questions

  • Can you please tell me Do you take any medications?
  • How do you handle taking your medications? Is it easy or difficult for you?
  • Have you faced any issues or concerns when it comes to managing your medications?
  • Did you ever take medicines without talking to your doctor first? What made you decide to do that?
  • Could you explain why you take your medicines or supplements? What do they do for your health?
  • Do you take your medicines at a specific time during the day? How do you make sure you remember when to take them?
  • How many times in a day do you need to take your medicines? Can you describe your routine
  • Have you ever forgotten to take your medications? If so, what do you think caused it?
  • How do you currently keep track of your medicines and any changes in your health?
  • Have you ever used apps or tools to help manage your medications? How was your experience with them?
  • If there were an app designed to assist you with your medications, what features would be most helpful to you, and why?

Response

  1. Can you please tell me Do you take any medications?

User1: Yes, I take medication for my high blood pressure.

User2: I’m on antibiotics for an ongoing infection.

User3: I take a daily multivitamin and calcium supplement.

User4: No, I don’t currently take any medication

User5: I use herbal remedies and essential oils instead of traditional medications.

  1. How do you handle taking your medications? Is it easy or difficult for you?

User1: It’s quite easy for me since I only take one medication daily, and I keep it by my toothbrush as a reminder.

User2: Managing my medications can be challenging because I have to take multiple pills at different times throughout the day.

User3: I have a pill organizer with compartments for each day, making it convenient to keep track.

User4: I find it difficult to remember to take my medication, but I’ve set alarms on my phone to help.

User5: It’s easy for me because my doctor prescribed a long-acting injection, so I don’t have to worry about daily doses.

  1. Have you faced any issues or concerns when it comes to managing your medications?

User1: I worry about potential side effects and interactions between my different medications.

User2:I’ve faced issues with the high cost of my prescriptions and sometimes skip doses to save money.

User3:Sometimes I forget to refill my prescriptions on time, leading to gaps in my medication.

User4:I’ve had concerns about the environmental impact of medication disposal.

User5: I’ve had trouble opening the childproof caps on some medication bottles.

User1: I took over-the-counter pain relievers without consulting a doctor for mild headaches.

User2: In the past, I used to self-prescribe antibiotics for minor infections because I thought it would speed up my recovery.

  1. Did you ever take medicines without talking to your doctor first? What made you decide to do that?

User3: I’ve taken herbal supplements based on recommendations from friends or online sources without consulting a healthcare professional.

User4: I never take any medication without consulting my doctor first to ensure it’s safe and appropriate for my condition.

User5: I once tried a homeopathic remedy for insomnia without a doctor’s consultation because I was desperate for better sleep.

  1. Could you explain why you take your medicines or supplements? What do they do for your health?

User1: I take medication for my asthma, which helps open my airways and prevents breathing difficulties.

User2: My supplements include vitamin D and calcium, which are essential for maintaining strong bones and overall health.

User3: I take a blood thinner to prevent clotting due to a heart condition and reduce the risk of strokes.

User4: I use dietary supplements like probiotics to support my digestive health

User5:I take medications to manage my anxiety and depression, which significantly improve my mental well-being and daily functioning.

6.Do you take your medicines at a specific time during the day? How do you make sure you remember when to take them?

User1I take my medications three times a day, and I set alarms on my phone for each dose to make sure I don’t forget.

User2:I have a strict schedule and always take my medications at 8 AM, 1 PM, and 8 PM.

User3:I take my medication whenever I remember, and that’s not always at the same time each day.

User4:I follow my doctor’s recommendation to take my medication with meals, so I take them at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

User5:I take my medication at bedtime, which helps me sleep better, and it’s a routine I rarely deviate from.

  1. How many times in a day do you need to take your medicines? Can you describe your routine

User1:I need to take my medication once a day, usually in the morning, as prescribed by my doctor.

User2:My routine involves taking medication four times a day due to a complex health condition, and it’s quite demanding.

User3:I take my medication only when I experience symptoms, so the frequency varies.

User4:I need to take my medication twice daily, in the morning and evening, and it’s a routine I’ve maintained for years.

User5:• I take my medication three times a day, and I’ve incorporated it into my meal schedule for convenience.

8.Have you ever forgotten to take your medications? If so, what do you think caused it?

User1:Yes, I’ve forgotten to take my medication a few times when I was traveling and didn’t have my usual routine.

User2: Forgetting to take my medication usually occurs when I’m overwhelmed with work and lose track of time.

User3: I occasionally forget to take my medication when I’m not feeling well, and it slips my mind.

User4: I’ve forgotten to take my medication when I’m out with friends, and it’s not easy to excuse myself to take it.

User5: I’ve missed doses due to the complexity of my medication regimen, and it’s sometimes hard to keep track of them all.

  1. How do you currently keep track of your medicines and any changes in your health?

User1:I maintain a detailed medication journal where I record every dose and note any side effects or changes in my health.

User2:I rely on my memory and the labels on the medication bottles to track my medicines.

User3:I have a digital health app that allows me to log my medications and symptoms, which I share with my doctor during appointments.

User4:I regularly consult my healthcare provider for any changes in my health and discuss any adjustments needed for my medications.

User5: I keep a simple notebook where I jot down any noticeable changes in my health and medication adjustments.

  1. Have you ever used apps or tools to help manage your medications? How was your experience with them?

User1:Yes, I’ve used a medication reminder app, and it greatly improved my adherence to my medication schedule.

User2:• I’ve tried a pill organizer, and it was helpful, but I prefer handwritten lists.

User3:I’ve used a medication management app, but I found it too complicated to use consistently.

User4:I’ve never used any apps or tools to manage my medications; I prefer the old-fashioned way.

User5:I used to rely on a weekly pill organizer, which was helpful for me to organize my medications, but I’ve since switched to an app for more convenience.

  1. If there were an app designed to assist you with your medications, what features would be most helpful to you, and why?

User1: Customizable reminders for different medications and dosing times would be essential, as I have a complex regimen.

User2:An interactive calendar feature to track when I’ve taken my medications and the option to share this data with my doctor.

User3: A medication interaction checker would be incredibly useful to prevent any adverse effects from drug combinations.

User4: Integration with a pharmacy for easy prescription refills and reminders to renew my prescriptions.

User5: An information hub with details about each medication, including potential side effects and contraindications, to help me make informed decisions.

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