Digital Transformation of Rheumatology Care in Germany: Cross-Sectional National Survey
BackgroundIn recent years, health care has undergone a rapid and unprecedented digital transformation. In many fields of specialty care, such as rheumatology, this shift is driven by the growing number of patients and limited resources, leading to increased use of digital hea...
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JMIR Publications
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| Online Access: | https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e52601 |
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| author | Susann May Robert Darkow Johannes Knitza Katharina Boy Philipp Klemm Martin Heinze Nicolas Vuillerme Pascal Petit Patricia Steffens-Korbanka Heike Kladny Johannes Hornig Peer Aries Martin Welcker Felix Muehlensiepen |
| author_facet | Susann May Robert Darkow Johannes Knitza Katharina Boy Philipp Klemm Martin Heinze Nicolas Vuillerme Pascal Petit Patricia Steffens-Korbanka Heike Kladny Johannes Hornig Peer Aries Martin Welcker Felix Muehlensiepen |
| author_sort | Susann May |
| collection | DOAJ |
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BackgroundIn recent years, health care has undergone a rapid and unprecedented digital transformation. In many fields of specialty care, such as rheumatology, this shift is driven by the growing number of patients and limited resources, leading to increased use of digital health technologies (DHTs) to maintain high-quality clinical care. Previous studies examined user acceptance of individual DHTs in rheumatology, such as telemedicine, video consultations, and mHealth. However, it is essential to conduct cross-technology and continuous analyses of user acceptance and DHT use to maximize the benefits for all relevant stakeholders.
ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the current acceptance, use, and preferences regarding DHTs among patients in rheumatology care in Germany.
MethodsRheumatology patients from 3 clinics in Germany were surveyed to understand their perspectives on DHTs. The survey included main themes, including acceptance, preferences, COVID-19’s impact, potential, and barriers related to DHTs. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis.
ResultsOut of 337 participants, 53% (179/337) reported using DHTs. Specific technologies included wearables (72/337, 21%), mHealth apps (71/337, 21%), digital therapeutics (32/337, 9%), electronic prescriptions (30/337, 9%), video consultations (15/337, 4%), and at-home blood self-sampling (3/337, 1%). Nearly two-thirds (220/337, 65%) found DHTs useful, and 69% (233/337) held a generally positive attitude toward DHTs. Attitudes shifted positively during the COVID-19 pandemic for 40% (135/337) of participants. Higher education was more prevalent among DHT users (114/179, 63.7%) compared with nonusers (42/151, 27.8%; P=.02). The main potential benefits identified were location-independent use (244/337, 72%) and time-independent use (216/337, 64%). Key barriers included insufficient user knowledge (165/337, 49%) and limited information on DHTs (134/337, 40%).
ConclusionsPatient acceptance and use of DHTs in rheumatology is increasing in Germany. A prospective, standardized monitoring of digital transformation in rheumatology care is highly needed. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8b2811facd37442cb1e8c2ed8c8f8c07 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1438-8871 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
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| series | Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-8b2811facd37442cb1e8c2ed8c8f8c072025-01-06T20:30:25ZengJMIR PublicationsJournal of Medical Internet Research1438-88712025-01-0127e5260110.2196/52601Digital Transformation of Rheumatology Care in Germany: Cross-Sectional National SurveySusann Mayhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-3847-4861Robert Darkowhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-7991-3691Johannes Knitzahttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9695-0657Katharina Boyhttps://orcid.org/0009-0009-9616-6278Philipp Klemmhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-7911-4235Martin Heinzehttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-3645-1033Nicolas Vuillermehttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-3773-393XPascal Petithttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9015-5230Patricia Steffens-Korbankahttps://orcid.org/0009-0009-9718-6238Heike Kladnyhttps://orcid.org/0009-0000-7612-6695Johannes Hornighttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9875-9610Peer Arieshttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-7919-8010Martin Welckerhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-1856-3085Felix Muehlensiepenhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-8571-7286 BackgroundIn recent years, health care has undergone a rapid and unprecedented digital transformation. In many fields of specialty care, such as rheumatology, this shift is driven by the growing number of patients and limited resources, leading to increased use of digital health technologies (DHTs) to maintain high-quality clinical care. Previous studies examined user acceptance of individual DHTs in rheumatology, such as telemedicine, video consultations, and mHealth. However, it is essential to conduct cross-technology and continuous analyses of user acceptance and DHT use to maximize the benefits for all relevant stakeholders. ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the current acceptance, use, and preferences regarding DHTs among patients in rheumatology care in Germany. MethodsRheumatology patients from 3 clinics in Germany were surveyed to understand their perspectives on DHTs. The survey included main themes, including acceptance, preferences, COVID-19’s impact, potential, and barriers related to DHTs. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. ResultsOut of 337 participants, 53% (179/337) reported using DHTs. Specific technologies included wearables (72/337, 21%), mHealth apps (71/337, 21%), digital therapeutics (32/337, 9%), electronic prescriptions (30/337, 9%), video consultations (15/337, 4%), and at-home blood self-sampling (3/337, 1%). Nearly two-thirds (220/337, 65%) found DHTs useful, and 69% (233/337) held a generally positive attitude toward DHTs. Attitudes shifted positively during the COVID-19 pandemic for 40% (135/337) of participants. Higher education was more prevalent among DHT users (114/179, 63.7%) compared with nonusers (42/151, 27.8%; P=.02). The main potential benefits identified were location-independent use (244/337, 72%) and time-independent use (216/337, 64%). Key barriers included insufficient user knowledge (165/337, 49%) and limited information on DHTs (134/337, 40%). ConclusionsPatient acceptance and use of DHTs in rheumatology is increasing in Germany. A prospective, standardized monitoring of digital transformation in rheumatology care is highly needed.https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e52601 |
| spellingShingle | Susann May Robert Darkow Johannes Knitza Katharina Boy Philipp Klemm Martin Heinze Nicolas Vuillerme Pascal Petit Patricia Steffens-Korbanka Heike Kladny Johannes Hornig Peer Aries Martin Welcker Felix Muehlensiepen Digital Transformation of Rheumatology Care in Germany: Cross-Sectional National Survey Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| title | Digital Transformation of Rheumatology Care in Germany: Cross-Sectional National Survey |
| title_full | Digital Transformation of Rheumatology Care in Germany: Cross-Sectional National Survey |
| title_fullStr | Digital Transformation of Rheumatology Care in Germany: Cross-Sectional National Survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Digital Transformation of Rheumatology Care in Germany: Cross-Sectional National Survey |
| title_short | Digital Transformation of Rheumatology Care in Germany: Cross-Sectional National Survey |
| title_sort | digital transformation of rheumatology care in germany cross sectional national survey |
| url | https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e52601 |
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