OP0216-HPR DETERMINANTS OF DIGITAL HEALTH TECHNOLOGIY USE IN RHEUMATOLOGY CARE - SECONDARY ANALYSIS OF DATA FROM A SURVEY AMONG GERMAN RMD-PATIENTS
Authors: F. Muehlensiepen, Pascal Petit, J. Knitza, M. Welcker, S. May, N. Vuillerme
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2024)

<h3>Background:</h3> Digital Health Technologies (DHTs) are increasingly expanding conventional rheumatology care, offering new modalities for patient engagement and treatment management. Understanding the factors influencing their adoption and usage among patients in rheumatology care is crucial for optimizing their implementation and effectiveness. <h3>Objectives:</h3> To investigate the determinants influencing the use of DHTs among patients receiving rheumatology care. <h3>Methods:</h3> A secondary analysis of data from a German cross-sectional survey [1] among patients in rheumatology care was undertaken. The determinants of DHT use were identified through Bayesian model averaging (BMA), after the exclusion of collinear covariates (variance inflation factor&lt;2.5) and the inclusion of all variables associated with DHT use according to Bayesian univariate logistic regression analysis (region of practical equivalence ≤5%). All the analyses were stratified by sex and two age categories (&lt;55 years and ≥ 55 years). <h3>Results:</h3> A total of 337 patients (219 females and 108 males) who were on average 52.5 years old (SD: 14.3) were included. Most patients (184/337, 55%) used DHTs. A total of 26 determinant factors were identified, with differences between genders and age categories (Figure 1). Thinking that DHT has no potential advantage, not using digital therapeutics (DiGA) for rheumatology care, strongly disagreeing that DHTs are useful in rheumatology care, not using DHT because of network coverage problems, and no need for DHT because satisfied with current analog solutions were negatively associated with DHT use. By contrast, using wearables for rheumatology care before the COVID−19 pandemic, the willingness to use video consultation in the future for rheumatology care, having an attitude towards digital healthcare that has become more positive since the COVID−19 pandemic, thinking that time−independent use is a potential DHT advantage, and using other mobile apps for rheumatology care before the COVID−19 pandemic were positively associated with DHT use. <h3>Conclusion:</h3> Our findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has served as a catalyst for the adoption of digital health technologies (DHT) among certain patients in rheumatology care. Concurrently, a segment of the patient population maintains a steadfast resistance to DHT, underscoring the necessity for the sustained availability of traditional, analog rheumatology services. This dual approach ensures that all patient preferences and needs are accommodated, promoting comprehensive and inclusive care in the field of rheumatology. <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> [1] May S, Darkow R, Knitza J, et al. Digital Transformation of Rheumatology Care in Germany - Results of a National Survey. JMIR Preprints. 09/09/2023:52601. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> Felix Muehlensiepen and Pascal Petit contributed equally. <h3>Disclosure of Interests:</h3> Felix Muehlensiepen Novartis, Novartis, Novartis, Abbvie, Pascal Petit: None declared, Johannes Knitza Abbvie, Novartis, Medac, Sanofi, Amgen, UCB, Abbvie, Novartis, Lilly, Medac, BMS, Sanofi, Amgen, Gilead, UCB, ABATON, GSK, Werfen, Vila Health, Böhringer Ingelheim, Janssen, Galapagos, Chugai, Abbvie, Novartis, Thermo Fisher, UCB, ABATON, Sanofi, DFG, EIT Health, Martin Welcker Abbvie, Actelion, Amgen, Biogen,BMS, Berlin Chemie, Celgene, Galapagos, Gilead, GSK, Hexal, Janssen, Medac, MSD, Mundipharma, Mylan, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, SOBI, UCB, Abbvie, Actelion, Aescu, Amgen, Celgene, Hexal, Janssen, Medac, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, UCB, Novartis, Abbvie, Susann May: None declared, Nicolas Vuillerme: None declared.