AB1347-HPR DIGITAL SOLUTIONS TO AID SELF-MANAGEMENT: DEVELOPING A RHEUMATOLOGY APP FOR USE BY ANY PATIENT ATTENDING OUR DEPARTMENT
Authors: K. Mackay, H. Kelly, M. Clemence, R. Penford
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2020)

Background: Managing complex rheumatological conditions requires information about the disease itself, treatments regimes and side effects. This is particularly important for those with a new diagnosis. A local patient focus group identified the need for trustworthy information, written and reviewed by their rheumatology team to aid self-management. They felt information should be readily accessible, in one place, to re-read / re-listen to, as required. Objectives: To develop a Rheumatology App, for any patient attending our department, to support self-management. Methods: We worked with a number of rheumatology patients, of differing ages, the Rheumatology multi-disciplinary team (MDT) and an industry partner, hci.digital, to develop our App, called ‘Rheumatology Connect’. We developed over 30 short videos, provided links to other valuable patient websites e.g. Versus Arthritis, NRAS, NASS, and wrote short articles, to provide basic headline information about various different diseases, common treatments e.g. Methotrexate. We provided easily accessible contact details and information about our clinic locations (including postcodes, bus links, car parking). Video content was written by the clinical authors and filmed by hci.digital. Patient involvement in designing the layout was particularly important for the App to be easily navigable by all. We launched the App, in June 2018, at a local patient educational conference. We encourage all patients on regular follow up to download it /use it and remind everyone about it in our clinic letters. Results: Downloads have been ongoing since launch, with over 1953 downloads and 21930 page views, with peaks around the time of our monthly education sessions when we advertise the App to new patients. Over 54% spent between 2 to 5+ minutes in the App at a time. Most of the videos in the App are about 2 minutes long. Common hits include: videos on medications, various conditions, contact details, clinic locations, and services available. We have had a number of spontaneous contacts from patients saying how valuable they find the information we have given them. The App aids efficiency by allowing direct phone calls to the correct member of the MDT e.g. rheumatology physio, rather than going through the secretaries. We are also encouraging direct email contact via the App. These aspects are helping us make our services more efficient. Conclusion: The App continues to be downloaded and used by our patients. It has become an important part of our patient education efforts, especially for those with a new diagnosis. We have had a significant increase in email contact from patients, allowing us to be more efficient by responding more quickly to patient queries, avoid additional telephone calls and avoid ansa-phone messages. To date, the App continues to be downloaded by patients and we have received very positive feedback. Having surveyed the users, our next step is to develop interactive PROMS, a calendar reminder function and medicines management function as these have been identified as additions users would find helpful to manage their disease. We have raised funds to develop the App. The updated app should be available by May 2020 Download free from App store (search ‘ Rheumatology Connect’ ) or go to www.rheumatologyconnect.info . Disclosure of Interests: None declared