Opportunities and Barriers of Telemedicine in Rheumatology: A Participatory, Mixed-Methods Study

Muehlensiepen, Felix; Knitza, Johannes; Marquardt, Wenke; May, Susann; Krusche, Martin; Hueber, Axel J.; Schwarz, Julian; Vuillerme, Nicolas; Heinze, Martin; Welcker, Martin

doi:10.3390/ijerph182413127

Cited by 27 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…This survey also revealed the need to help patients while navigating available online information, as the mean eHealth literacy was relatively low. The reported concerns regarding digital services, particularly in respect of the risk of loss of human contact in medical treatment, are in line with the results of a recent mixed-methods study on telemedicine in rheumatology [ 22 ]. The authors propose individual assessment and scalable telemedicine care concepts to address concerns and ensure close physician-patient relationship.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 59%

Unmet Information Needs of Patients with Rheumatic Diseases: Results of a Cross-Sectional Online Survey Study in Germany

Becker

Diener

Hueber

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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To effectively self-manage a chronic disease, patients require specific education. In clinical routines, rheumatologists and other healthcare professionals often cannot devote the necessary time to adequately educate their patients. Digital technologies such as mobile applications represent promising tools to overcome this problem. This study aims to identify unmet information needs of patients with rheumatic diseases to inform the conception of a mobile education application. An online national survey was developed together with rheumatic patients and rheumatologists and distributed between June and September 2021 via social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter), QR code and email. Self-reported rheumatic patients, rheumatologists, specialized rheumatology nurses (SRN) and self-reported relatives of rheumatic patients were eligible to participate in the survey. Three major topics were addressed: (1) How well do patients feel informed about disease-relevant topics; (2) how important do patients rate different disease-relevant topics; and (3) patient willingness to adopt digital education services. Responses of 254 patients and 53 SRN were analyzed. Most patients were female (91%; n = 231), the median age was 48 years and the most common disease was rheumatoid arthritis (23%; n = 59). Only 24% of patients perceived their disease education level as very good or good compared to an SRN estimate of 42%. The three information topics rated as most important (very/important) were: individual disease (98%), medication (94%) and coping techniques (91%). In total, 89% of patients asserted that they would very likely, likely or rather likely use digital education tools in the future to learn about their condition, and 82% of SRN would very likely, likely or rather likely recommend digital information services to their patients. These findings depict currently unmet patient information needs and a high willingness of patients and SRN to use digital education services. A mobile education application is currently adapted based on these results and will be evaluated in a multicenter study.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 59%

Unmet Information Needs of Patients with Rheumatic Diseases: Results of a Cross-Sectional Online Survey Study in Germany

Becker

Diener

Hueber

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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“…In line with the recent increase of telemedicine usage in rheumatology [ 9 , 41 , 42 ], interviewees acknowledged the potential of self-sampling to enhance current rheumatology remote care, improving accessibility and unlocking resources [ 43 ]. Remote self-monitoring, using electronic patient reported outcomes (ePROs), in conjunction with laboratory calprotectin test results that were based on self-collected stool samples improved the management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease [ 44 , 45 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

At-home blood self-sampling in rheumatology: a qualitative study with patients and health care professionals

Muehlensiepen

May

Zarbl

et al. 2022

BMC Health Serv Res

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Background The goal of the study was to investigate patients’ with systemic rheumatic diseases and healthcare professionals’ experiences and preferences regarding self-sampling of capillary blood in rheumatology care. Methods Patients performed a supervised and consecutive unsupervised capillary blood self-collection using an upper arm based device. Subsequently, patients (n = 15) and their attending health care professionals (n = 5) participated in an explorative, qualitative study using problem-centered, telephone interviews. Interview data were analyzed using structured qualitative content analysis. Results Interviewed patients reported easy application and high usability. Patients and health care professionals alike reported time and cost savings, increased independence and flexibility, improved monitoring and reduction of risk of infection during Covid-19 as benefits. Reported drawbacks include limited blood volume, limited usability in case of functional restrictions, and environmental concerns. Older, immobile patients with long journeys to traditional blood collection sites and young patients with little time to spare for traditional blood collection appointments could be user groups, likely to benefit from self-sampling services. Conclusions At-home blood self-sampling could effectively complement current rheumatology telehealth care. Appropriateness and value of this service needs to be carefully discussed with patients on an individual basis. Trial Registration WHO International Clinical Trials Registry: DRKS00024925. Registered on 15/04/2021.

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“…Wearable sensors of different types could enable the collection of different crucial parameters ( 37 ). Teledermatology and telerheumatology ( 48 , 49 ) appear promising ways of early intercepting psoriatic arthritis patients.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Harnessing Big Data, Smart and Digital Technologies and Artificial Intelligence for Preventing, Early Intercepting, Managing, and Treating Psoriatic Arthritis: Insights From a Systematic Review of the Literature

et al. 2022

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BackgroundRheumatological and dermatological disorders contribute to a significant portion of the global burden of disease. Big Data are increasingly having a more and more relevant role, being highly ubiquitous and pervasive in contemporary society and paving the way for new, unprecedented perspectives in biomedicine, including dermatology and rheumatology. Rheumatology and dermatology can potentially benefit from Big Data.MethodsA systematic review of the literature was conducted according to the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses” (PRISMA) guidelines, mining “Uno per tutti”, a highly integrated and automated tool/meta-database developed at the University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy, and consisting of 20 major scholarly electronic databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE. Big Data- or artificial intelligence-based studies were judged based on the modified Qiao’s critical appraisal tool for critical methodological quality assessment of Big Data/machine learning-based studies. Other studies designed as cross-sectional, longitudinal, or randomized investigations, reviews/overviews or expert opinions/commentaries were evaluated by means of the relevant “Joanna Briggs Institute” (JBI)’s critical appraisal tool for the critical methodological quality assessment.ResultsFourteen papers were included in the present systematic review of the literature. Most of the studies included concerned molecular applications of Big Data, especially in the fields of genomics and post-genomics. Other studies concerned epidemiological applications, with a practical dearth of studies assessing smart and digital applications for psoriatic arthritis patients.ConclusionsBig Data can be a real paradigm shift that revolutionizes rheumatological and dermatological practice and clinical research, helping to early intercept psoriatic arthritis patients. However, there are some methodological issues that should be properly addressed (like recording and association biases) and some ethical issues that should be considered (such as privacy). Therefore, further research in the field is warranted.Systematic Review RegistrationRegistration code 10.17605/OSF.IO/4KCU2.

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Opportunities and Barriers of Telemedicine in Rheumatology: A Participatory, Mixed-Methods Study

Cited by 27 publications

References 41 publications

Unmet Information Needs of Patients with Rheumatic Diseases: Results of a Cross-Sectional Online Survey Study in Germany

Unmet Information Needs of Patients with Rheumatic Diseases: Results of a Cross-Sectional Online Survey Study in Germany

At-home blood self-sampling in rheumatology: a qualitative study with patients and health care professionals

Harnessing Big Data, Smart and Digital Technologies and Artificial Intelligence for Preventing, Early Intercepting, Managing, and Treating Psoriatic Arthritis: Insights From a Systematic Review of the Literature

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