Table 3.
Categories and labels used to organize grounded theory analysis.
| Category | Examples of descriptive summaries |
| What does “medication management” mean? | -Remembering medications -Understanding medications -Drug–drug, drug–food interactions -Relationship with physician -Pill boxes -Renewing prescription |
| How did it feel to try the applications? | -Feelings: frustrating, challenging -Positive learning -Uncertainty of future adoption -Information overload -Shift from frustrating to doable |
| What was the easiest/most difficult application to use? | -Training would help make it easier -Prior experience required -Gender distinctions -MyMedRec, because it was easier to find way around -PocketPharmacist had too many submenus |
| What was the most/least preferred application? | -Not qualified to evaluate -Lack of experience with technology -Liked different features from each -Drug information applications -Application glitches |
| What features were liked? | -Graphics easier to understand than words -High value for listing supplements -Drug interactions -The simpler the better |
| What features were disliked? | -Ambiguous use of symbols -Requires previous knowledge of device -Not intuitive to look at corners -Unreliable reminders -Lack of food–drug interaction -Microscopic keyboard |
| What features were most surprising? | -Missing allergy–drug alerts -Untrustworthy drug interaction feature for PocketPharmacist -Lack of features on many apps -Surprised there was an email feature |
| How can/will the applications be used in real life? | -Uncertain if would ever use -Younger person associated with technology -Possible user: elderly relative, someone with 8 medications/day -Way of the future -Current management system works |
| What is the willingness to pay for the applications? | -Willing to use more a difficult application if free -Uncertain -Need a trial period -Surprised by the price, seems low -$100 for PocketPharmacist |
| How long would someone spend learning the applications? | -Willingness to spend time everyday -It would take a week to learn with daily use -Overall it was not intuitive -Might spend a couple hours -I would give it 15 minutes |
| Should physicians or pharmacists recommend the applications? | -All younger persons already own technology -Not applicable to current older adults -Older generation is adopting new technology -Pharmacist job to educate patients on drugs -Variable levels of pharmacists -Providers are intolerant of nonadherent patients |
| Should the applications connect with physician or pharmacist computer systems? | -Future connection “so cool” -Useless if increased workload -Intolerance to uncooperative providers -No, my doctor will not accept email -Prefer to talk to the pharmacist or doctor in person |
| Should the applications be backed up? | -Expect backing up -Assume data is retrievable -Expect it to be saving something -Fact that it’s not backed up takes away from the usefulness -Thought the iPad could be backed up to the laptop |