Digital health applications in the self‐management of epilepsy—A survey on patients' perspective

Abstract Objective Digital health applications can be prescribed since 2019 in Germany, which is likely to facilitate a broad use of epilepsy self‐management applications, possibly directly connected to clinical systems via telematics infrastructures. This article reports on patients' interest...

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Main Authors: Salima Houta, Alisa Bader, Jana‐Sophie Effert, Birgitta Esser, Jasmin Henze, Alexandra Spaic, Feline Zocher, Michael Lauerer, Rainer Surges
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2023-12-01
Series:Epilepsia Open
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/epi4.12788
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author Salima Houta
Alisa Bader
Jana‐Sophie Effert
Birgitta Esser
Jasmin Henze
Alexandra Spaic
Feline Zocher
Michael Lauerer
Rainer Surges
author_facet Salima Houta
Alisa Bader
Jana‐Sophie Effert
Birgitta Esser
Jasmin Henze
Alexandra Spaic
Feline Zocher
Michael Lauerer
Rainer Surges
author_sort Salima Houta
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective Digital health applications can be prescribed since 2019 in Germany, which is likely to facilitate a broad use of epilepsy self‐management applications, possibly directly connected to clinical systems via telematics infrastructures. This article reports on patients' interest in digital support for epilepsy self‐management, influencing factors and patients' knowledge about digitization of health care in Germany. Methods This work is based on self‐reported data from 115 people with epilepsy participating in an anonymous online survey with a total of 54 questions covering several topics, including sociodemographics and epilepsy manifestation, use of technology in general and for treatment support, training programs, affinity for technology, knowledge on the digital infrastructure in Germany, and self‐efficacy in dealing with chronic illness. The self‐constructed questionnaire uses existing instruments like TA‐EG, SES6G, and Hoffmeyer‐Zlotnik sociodemographic questionnaire. To analyze the knowledge about digitalization in health care, a combination of self‐assessment and knowledge quiz was used. The analysis was performed using descriptive methods and inferential statistics (t‐test, reliability analysis, and correlations). Results Participants were most interested in seizure alerting and documentation with the possibility to share documentation with physicians. The analysis of technology affinity showed medium enthusiasm, with positively perceived consequences being rated higher than the negatively perceived consequences of technology use. Knowledge on national health infrastructures was mediocre and training on this was judged to be essential and desired. Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between interest in use and affinity for technology (enthusiasm for technology [r = 0.29; P = 0.00]) and positively perceived consequences of technology (r = 0.33; P = 0.00). Significance Our results underline the high relevance of digital solutions for patients and the importance of individual training opportunities in digital health literacy, thereby enabling patients to decide competently for or against offered digital solutions.
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spelling doaj.art-40e382e67f754cfdad55e36c4a103ae62023-12-01T10:14:22ZengWileyEpilepsia Open2470-92392023-12-01841288129910.1002/epi4.12788Digital health applications in the self‐management of epilepsy—A survey on patients' perspectiveSalima Houta0Alisa Bader1Jana‐Sophie Effert2Birgitta Esser3Jasmin Henze4Alexandra Spaic5Feline Zocher6Michael Lauerer7Rainer Surges8Fraunhofer Institute for Software and Systems Engineering ISST Dortmund GermanyFaculty of Law, Business and Economics, Institute for Healthcare Management and Health Sciences University of Bayreuth Bayreuth GermanyKlinisches Innovationszentrum für Medizintechnik Oldenburg KIZMO Oldenburg GermanyDepartment of Epileptology University Hospital Bonn Bonn GermanyFraunhofer Institute for Software and Systems Engineering ISST Dortmund GermanyFaculty of Law, Business and Economics, Institute for Healthcare Management and Health Sciences University of Bayreuth Bayreuth GermanyFaculty of Law, Business and Economics, Institute for Healthcare Management and Health Sciences University of Bayreuth Bayreuth GermanyFaculty of Law, Business and Economics, Institute for Healthcare Management and Health Sciences University of Bayreuth Bayreuth GermanyDepartment of Epileptology University Hospital Bonn Bonn GermanyAbstract Objective Digital health applications can be prescribed since 2019 in Germany, which is likely to facilitate a broad use of epilepsy self‐management applications, possibly directly connected to clinical systems via telematics infrastructures. This article reports on patients' interest in digital support for epilepsy self‐management, influencing factors and patients' knowledge about digitization of health care in Germany. Methods This work is based on self‐reported data from 115 people with epilepsy participating in an anonymous online survey with a total of 54 questions covering several topics, including sociodemographics and epilepsy manifestation, use of technology in general and for treatment support, training programs, affinity for technology, knowledge on the digital infrastructure in Germany, and self‐efficacy in dealing with chronic illness. The self‐constructed questionnaire uses existing instruments like TA‐EG, SES6G, and Hoffmeyer‐Zlotnik sociodemographic questionnaire. To analyze the knowledge about digitalization in health care, a combination of self‐assessment and knowledge quiz was used. The analysis was performed using descriptive methods and inferential statistics (t‐test, reliability analysis, and correlations). Results Participants were most interested in seizure alerting and documentation with the possibility to share documentation with physicians. The analysis of technology affinity showed medium enthusiasm, with positively perceived consequences being rated higher than the negatively perceived consequences of technology use. Knowledge on national health infrastructures was mediocre and training on this was judged to be essential and desired. Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between interest in use and affinity for technology (enthusiasm for technology [r = 0.29; P = 0.00]) and positively perceived consequences of technology (r = 0.33; P = 0.00). Significance Our results underline the high relevance of digital solutions for patients and the importance of individual training opportunities in digital health literacy, thereby enabling patients to decide competently for or against offered digital solutions.https://doi.org/10.1002/epi4.12788digital health literacyhealth information exchangeknowledge about digital health infrastructuresmobile applicationsself‐management
spellingShingle Salima Houta
Alisa Bader
Jana‐Sophie Effert
Birgitta Esser
Jasmin Henze
Alexandra Spaic
Feline Zocher
Michael Lauerer
Rainer Surges
Digital health applications in the self‐management of epilepsy—A survey on patients' perspective
Epilepsia Open
digital health literacy
health information exchange
knowledge about digital health infrastructures
mobile applications
self‐management
title Digital health applications in the self‐management of epilepsy—A survey on patients' perspective
title_full Digital health applications in the self‐management of epilepsy—A survey on patients' perspective
title_fullStr Digital health applications in the self‐management of epilepsy—A survey on patients' perspective
title_full_unstemmed Digital health applications in the self‐management of epilepsy—A survey on patients' perspective
title_short Digital health applications in the self‐management of epilepsy—A survey on patients' perspective
title_sort digital health applications in the self management of epilepsy a survey on patients perspective
topic digital health literacy
health information exchange
knowledge about digital health infrastructures
mobile applications
self‐management
url https://doi.org/10.1002/epi4.12788
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