A new digital intervention to improve medication adherence after stroke

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Preventing recurrent strokes relies on the effective management of modifiable risk factors, including adherence to life-saving medications such as antihypertensives, antithrombotics, and lipid-lowering agents. Despite strong evidence supporting their benefits, long-term medication adherence remains alarmingly suboptimal. Our research has shown that nearly one in three stroke survivors discontinue their secondary prevention medications within the first year, leaving them vulnerable to further vascular events. To address this critical gap, this project will pioneer an innovative, multi-modal intervention that integrates patient-centered digital solutions with system-wide strategies to optimize medication adherence. Using cutting-edge co-design and consumer-driven research methods, this project will directly involve stroke survivors, caregivers, healthcare providers, and policymakers to develop a tailored, real-world solution that targets key adherence barriers across the patient, prescriber, and healthcare system levels. Project Phases: The student will be part of the Big Data, Epidemiology, and Prevention Division within the Stroke and Ageing Research (STAR) group at Monash University, working on the following: Phase 1: Conduct a systematic review of existing digital and behavioral interventions designed to improve medication adherence post-stroke. Phase 2: Engage stakeholders in an interactive co-design process to develop a prototype multi-modal intervention, ensuring real-world feasibility and scalability. Phase 3: Pilot-test the intervention to assess its feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness in improving medication adherence and patient outcomes. What the Student Will Gain: With strong mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration, the student will independently lead this high-impact research program while developing expertise in: ✅ Co-design & Consumer-Oriented Research – Directly engaging with stroke survivors, caregivers, and clinicians to shape a real-world intervention. ✅ Digital Health Innovation – Developing and evaluating a cutting-edge, patient-centered digital solution. ✅ Implementation Science & Health Systems Research – Designing interventions that address multi-level barriers to adherence. ✅ Advanced Data Analysis & Scientific Communication – Conducting rigorous research, analyzing real-world data, and publishing in top-tier medical journals. Research Training & Impact: Each phase will involve securing ethics approval (as required), refining research protocols with iterative feedback, collecting and analyzing data, and disseminating findings through high-impact publications. Upon successful completion of annual milestone reviews, the student will submit a PhD thesis by publication. This project offers a unique opportunity to transform post-stroke care by developing a scalable, consumer-driven intervention with the potential to improve medication adherence and reduce the global burden of recurrent stroke.