Medication Adherence Expertise Center of the northern Netherlands (MAECON)
The adherence expertise center MAECON, primarily located in the University Medical Center Groningen, develops innovative, cost-effective methods to help people experience the optimal effect of medication. To achieve this, MAECON can draw on broad multidisciplinary expertise, both in the medical and pharmaceutical fields (medical specialists, general practitioners, pharmacists, nurses), but also in the field of technology, ehealth, behavior (psychology) and epidemiology.
MAECON conducts research, provides education, and stimulates the implementation of care interventions in the field of good and efficient use of medicines and adherence to therapy. It works together with various stakeholders such as healthcare providers, patients (organizations), and companies from the pharmaceutical and technological sector. Spearheads are the (further) development and implementation of new methods to monitor compliance and to support effective drug use.
MAECON covers the development path from validation and first-use studies to randomized clinical effect trials, efficacy analyses and implementation, with some examples highlighted below.
Digital e-health technology
Within the innovative monitoring segment, work is mainly being done on digital eHealth technology such as electronic pill jars, smart blisters, digital inhalers and spacers. This digital technology can provide real-time insight into therapy compliance, can provide direct support to patients via linked apps and data can be used in the consulting room to initiate follow-up treatment. MAECON is leading various clinical trials with this technology in which, in addition to the UMCG, various regional hospitals and healthcare institutions often participate.
Non-invasieve bioanalytische geneesmiddel monitoring technieken
To be able to monitor drug use at home/remotely, but also to validate digital technology, MAECON is working on various non-invasive bioanalytical measurement methods, including dried blood spots, saliva, urine and scalp hair analysis. This does not require a blood test in the hospital and is therefore more patient-friendly.
Persoonsgerichte en praktische interventie tools en zorgpaden
To support healthcare providers and patients in case of difficulty with proper medication intake, MAECON develops various practical support resources and care pathways to be able to offer a tailor-made intervention based on individual adherence barriers. We design the tools based on theory and studies, but also ensure that the tools can be implemented in daily primary and/or secondary care practice. Examples are the so-called TAI Toolkit to promote adherence to therapy in asthma/COPD and the multidisciplinary transmural care path for lung cancer.
