Supporting Paediatric Clinicians to Develop a Medication-Adherence App
We partnered with paediatric clinicians at a leading European hospital to help design a mobile health app aimed at improving medication adherence among young people living with Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassaemia. The clinical team sought behavioural-science expertise to ensure the app addressed real-world barriers and supported sustained adherence.
The Challenge
Clinicians recognised that despite advances in treatment, many young patients struggle to take their medication consistently. The team wanted to better understand the behavioural reasons behind this and ensure the app would meaningfully support young people as they move from childhood to adolescence - a period where adherence typically declines. They needed guidance on uncovering barriers, translating insights into app features, and embedding behaviour change principles into the design process.
Our Approach
We carried out a behavioural diagnosis to identify the psychological, social and practical barriers influencing adherence. Through a combination of qualitative research, clinician engagement and patient-focused exploration, we helped the team understand the lived experience of young people managing complex health conditions. We then worked collaboratively to shape app features, ensuring the design reflected evidence-based behaviour change principles. This included a co-design process involving clinicians, young people, app developers and UX designers, alongside workshops to build the team’s confidence in applying behavioural science to digital health development.
Solution Delivered
Our recommendations informed both the content and functionality of the app, guiding the creation of features that address key challenges such as forgetfulness, fluctuating motivation, reliance on caregivers and the impact of treatment on daily life. The project team also received structured support on embedding behavioural methods into ongoing design decisions, ensuring the app remained grounded in the needs, preferences and capabilities of young patients.
Impact
By integrating behavioural science into the app’s development, the clinical team improved their ability to design a tool that supports sustained adherence in a population facing unique challenges. The project not only strengthened the app’s behavioural foundation but also enhanced the team’s capability to use behavioural insights in future digital health initiatives, ultimately contributing to better long-term outcomes for young patients.