Digital health transition in rheumatology: A qualitative study

Müehlensiepen F, Kurkowski S, Krusche M, Mucke J, Prill R, Heinze M, Welcker M, Schulze-Koops H, Vuillerme N, Schett G, Knitza J (2021)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health MDPI

Book Volume: 18

Pages Range: 1-11

Article Number: 2636

Journal Issue: 5

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052636

Abstract

The global COVID-19 pandemic has led to drastic changes in the management of patients with rheumatic diseases. Due to the imminent risk of infection, monitoring intervals of rheumatic patients have prolonged. The aim of this study is to present insights from patients, rheumatologists, and digital product developers on the ongoing digital health transition in rheumatology. A qualitative and participatory semi-structured fishbowl approach was conducted to gain detailed insights from a total of 476 participants. The main findings show that digital health and remote care are generally welcomed by the participants. Five key themes emerged from the qualitative content analysis: (1) digital rheumatology use cases, (2) user descriptions, (3) adaptation to different environments of rheumatology care, and (4) potentials of and (5) barriers to digital rheumatology implementation. Codes were scaled by positive and negative ratings as well as on micro, meso, and macro levels. A main recommendation resulting from the insights is that both patients and rheumatologists need more information and education to successfully implement digital health tools into clinical routine.

Authors with CRIS profile

Sandra Kurkowski Department of Palliative Medicine Georg Schett Lehrstuhl für Innere Medizin III

Involved external institutions

Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg "Theodor Fontane" / Brandenburg Medical School "Theodor Fontane" DE Germany (DE) University of Grenoble Alpes (UGA) / Université de Grenoble FR France (FR) Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) DE Germany (DE) Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf DE Germany (DE) Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Müehlensiepen, F., Kurkowski, S., Krusche, M., Mucke, J., Prill, R., Heinze, M.,... Knitza, J. (2021). Digital health transition in rheumatology: A qualitative study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(5), 1-11. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052636

MLA:

Müehlensiepen, Felix, et al. "Digital health transition in rheumatology: A qualitative study." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18.5 (2021): 1-11.

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