Lancet 393, 1216–24 (2019)

A randomized controlled trial shows that video observed treatment (VOT) of tuberculosis (TB) therapy via use of a smartphone by patients results in better adherence to a therapeutic regime than directly observed treatment (DOT).

DOT, in which a patient with TB is observed taking their medication by a healthcare or lay worker, is recommended in the United Kingdom for individuals with TB who are at high risk of poor adherence. VOT relies on the patient using a smartphone app to record themselves taking their medication and sending it to a healthcare worker for review.

In a randomized control trial of 226 participants based in the United Kingdom, VOT was a more effective approach for treatment of TB than DOT and also resulted in a rate of reporting of adverse effects similar to that of DOT.