Background Patients with rheumatic diseases are known to experience drug-related problems at various times during their treatment. As these problems can negatively influence patients’ health, they should be prevented or resolved as soon as possible, for which patients might benefit from additional support. Telehealth has the potential to continuously provide information and offers the possibility to easily contact a health care provider in order to support patients with medication use. Knowledge of factors influencing the patient’s preference for telehealth channels can improve the actual use of telehealth channels. Objective This study aims to identify factors that influence the preferences of patients with rheumatic diseases regarding telehealth channels for support with medication use. Methods A qualitative study with face-to-face interviews was performed among patients with an inflammatory rheumatic disease in the Netherlands. A total of 4 telehealth channels were used: a frequently asked questions page, a digital human, an app for SMS text messaging with health care providers, and an app for video-calling with health care providers. Using a semistructured interview guide based on domains of the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behavior (COM-B) model, participants were questioned about (1) their general opinion on the 4 telehealth channels, (2) factors influencing preference for individual telehealth channels, and (3) factors influencing preference for individual telehealth channels in relation to the other available channels. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and categorically analyzed. Results A total of 15 patients were interviewed (female: n=8, 53%; male: n=7, 47%; mean age 55, SD 16.8 years; median treatment duration of 41, IQR 12-106 months). The following 3 categories of factors influencing patient preference regarding telehealth channels were identified: (1) problem-related factors included problems needing a visual check, problems specifically related to the patient, and urgency of the problem; (2) patient-related factors included personal communication preference and patient characteristics; and (3) channel-related factors included familiarity with the telehealth channel, direct communication with a health care provider, methods of searching, and conversation history. Conclusions Preference for telehealth channels is influenced by factors related to the problem experienced, the patient experiencing the problem, and telehealth channel characteristics. As the preference for telehealth channels varies between these categories, multiple telehealth channels should be offered to enable patients to tailor the support with their medication use to their needs.

BACKGROUND Patients with rheumatic diseases are known to experience drug-related problems at various times during their treatment. As these problems can negatively influence patients’ health, they should be prevented or resolved as soon as possible, for which patients might benefit from additional support. Telehealth has the potential to continuously provide information and offers the possibility to easily contact a health care provider in order to support patients with medication use. Knowledge of factors influencing the patient’s preference for telehealth channels can improve the actual use of telehealth channels. OBJECTIVE This study aims to identify factors that influence the preferences of patients with rheumatic diseases regarding telehealth channels for support with medication use. METHODS A qualitative study with face-to-face interviews was performed among patients with an inflammatory rheumatic disease in the Netherlands. A total of 4 telehealth channels were used: a frequently asked questions page, a digital human, an app for SMS text messaging with health care providers, and an app for video-calling with health care providers. Using a semistructured interview guide based on domains of the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behavior (COM-B) model, participants were questioned about (1) their general opinion on the 4 telehealth channels, (2) factors influencing preference for individual telehealth channels, and (3) factors influencing preference for individual telehealth channels in relation to the other available channels. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and categorically analyzed. RESULTS A total of 15 patients were interviewed (female: n=8, 53%; male: n=7, 47%; mean age 55, SD 16.8 years; median treatment duration of 41, IQR 12-106 months). The following 3 categories of factors influencing patient preference regarding telehealth channels were identified: (1) problem-related factors included problems needing a visual check, problems specifically related to the patient, and urgency of the problem; (2) patient-related factors included personal communication preference and patient characteristics; and (3) channel-related factors included familiarity with the telehealth channel, direct communication with a health care provider, methods of searching, and conversation history. CONCLUSIONS Preference for telehealth channels is influenced by factors related to the problem experienced, the patient experiencing the problem, and telehealth channel characteristics. As the preference for telehealth channels varies between these categories, multiple telehealth channels should be offered to enable patients to tailor the support with their medication use to their needs.

BACKGROUND Implementation of digital hospital services (DHS), defined as digital technologies for use by patients offered by the hospital, is progressing slowly. In-depth insight into patients’ preferences and needs regarding DHS might improve its use. OBJECTIVE To describe when patients want to use DHS, how patients want to communicate or receive information digitally and what factors influence use of DHS in clinical practice. METHODS A multiple methods study design was conducted, using the Citizen Platform method. Two interactive days of ~ 5.5 hours with plenary and break-out sessions were held with 22 patients from the rheumatology, orthopedics and rehabilitation departments of a Dutch hospital specialized in musculoskeletal disorders. Assignments were performed during break-out sessions in which qualitative (e.g. semi-structured interview questions) and quantitative (i.e. voting and ranking factors) data were collected. RESULTS When patients want to use DHS varied between patients and phases of the patient journey. Preference for how patients want to communicate digitally depended on the need for interaction with an HCP. The interaction need is in its turn influenced by the degree to which information/communication is tailored (i.e. specific to an individual patient) and impactful (i.e. leading to significant consequences for the patient). The five most important factors influencing the use of DHS were: access to medical information (e.g. electronic health records), perceived control over disease management, correctness/completeness of information, data security and access to information or an HCP at any time. The five least important factors influencing DHS use were: Help with using digital devices, having internet/equipment, digital skills, attitude/emotions towards DHS and societal benefits. CONCLUSIONS Patients see possibilities for using DHS during all stages of the patient journey. However, preferences for DHS varied between patients and moments in the patient journey. As a consequence, DHS should be tailored to fit individual patients’ needs, but also regarding topics (tailored, impactful) by offering a variety of digital channels with a gradient of interaction possibilities. Furthermore, requirements such as digital skills and having internet might become less important to focus on in the future. Improving DHS use by patients may be achieved by providing patients access to correct and safe (medical) information and more control over their care.

Background Implementation of eHealth is progressing slowly. In-depth insight into patients’ preferences and needs regarding eHealth might improve its use. Objective This study aimed to describe when patients want to use eHealth, how patients want to communicate and receive information digitally, and what factors influence the use of eHealth in clinical practice. Methods A multimethod study was conducted. Two meetings of ~5.5 hours with plenary information sessions and focus groups were held with 22 patients from the rheumatology, orthopedics, and rehabilitation departments of a Dutch hospital specialized in musculoskeletal disorders. Assignments were performed during the focus groups in which qualitative (eg, semistructured interview questions) and quantitative (ie, voting and ranking factors) data were collected. Results The way patients want to use eHealth varies between patients and moments of a patient’s care pathway. Patients’ digital channel preferences depended on the need for interaction with a health care provider (HCP). The interaction need is in turn influenced by the degree to which information or communication is specific to an individual patient and leads to consequences for the patient. The 5 most important factors influencing the use of eHealth were access to medical information (eg, electronic health records), perceived control over disease management, correctness and completeness of information, data security, and access to information or an HCP at any time. The 5 least important factors influencing eHealth use were help with using digital devices, having internet or equipment, digital skills, attitude or emotions toward eHealth, and societal benefits. Conclusions Patients identified opportunities for using eHealth during all moments of their care pathway. However, preferences for eHealth varied between patients and phases in the care pathway. As a consequence, eHealth should be tailored to fit individual patients’ preferences but also the need for interaction regarding different topics by offering a variety of digital channels with a gradient of interaction possibilities. Furthermore, digital skills and access to the internet might become less important to focus on in the future. Improving eHealth use by patients may be achieved by providing patients access to correct and safe (medical) information and more control over their care.