AB0911-HPR ROLE OF MOBILE APPLICATIONS IN RHEUMATOLOGY CARE: A MULTICENTRIC SURVEY
Authors: R. Bixio, A. Biglia, G. Virelli, A. Giollo, C. Montecucco, M. Rossini
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2021)

Background: Although mobile health applications (apps) are becoming increasingly popular across several medical specialties, no data are available in rheumatology. The aim of this study is to investigate whether apps are routinely used by rheumatologists. Objectives: In our study we aim assess real-life use of mobile applications in rheumatology clinical activity and to evaluate mobile apps role in rheumatology training, in particular for residents, and clinical activity. Methods: We invited a non-selected sample of rheumatologists (consultants, residents and medical students committed to begin rheumatology residency) to participate in an anonymous web-based survey. This survey investigated mobile application use in rheumatology care and issues and concerns about mobile device use in rheumatology. Results: Sixty participants completed the survey (40% consultants, 48.3% residents, 11.7% students). 52/60 (86.7%) declared to use mobile apps during their work. More than 50% used apps at least once a day. Apps were mostly used for calculating clinical disease activity scores for chronic inflammatory arthritides. Most rheumatology residents stated that these apps could be a useful tool in medical training. However, using a smartphone during a clinical examination was deemed to be inappropriate by 26/60 (43.3%). Conclusion: Mobile apps as clinical tools are widespread among rheumatologists. References: [1]Newzoo Global Mobile Market Report 2019 | Light Version [Internet]. Newzoo. [cited 2021 Jan 23]. Available from: https://newzoo.com/insights/trend-reports/newzoo-global-mobile-market-report-2019-light-version/ . [2]eHealth WGO for. mHealth: new horizons for health through mobile technologies: second global survey on eHealth [Internet]. World Health Organization; 2011 [cited 2021 Jan 4]. Available from: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/44607 . [3]Grainger R, Townsley H, White B, Langlotz T, Taylor WJ. Apps for People With Rheumatoid Arthritis to Monitor Their Disease Activity: A Review of Apps for Best Practice and Quality. JMIR MHealth UHealth. 2017;5:e7. [4]Salaffi F, Farah S, Di Carlo M. Smartphone APPlications in the clinical care and management of Rheumatic Diseases. Acta Bio Medica Atenei Parm. 2018;89:7–26. [5]Maassen O, Fritsch S, Gantner J, Deffge S, Kunze J, Marx G, et al. Future Mobile Device Usage, Requirements, and Expectations of Physicians in German University Hospitals: Web-Based Survey. J Med Internet Res [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2021 Jan 23];22. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7781804/ . [6]Solomon DH, Rudin RS. Digital health technologies: opportunities and challenges in rheumatology. Nat Rev Rheumatol. Nature Publishing Group; 2020;16:525–35. [7]Adami G, Giollo A, Rossini M, Orsolini G, Benini C, Viapiana O, et al. Different fracture risk profile in patients treated with anti-osteoporotic drugs in real-life. Reumatismo. 2020;72:71–4. [8]Maurits M, Yuminaga H, Huizinga T, Knevel R. Mobile health applications in rheumatology: Could they improve our care and research? Int J Clin Rheumatol. Open Access Journals; 2019;14:44. Acknowledgements: We thank prof. Punzi for helping to spread the survey among Rete Reumatologica Veneta Disclosure of Interests: None declared