Patient's Perception of Digital Symptom Assessment Technologies in Rheumatology: Results From a Multicentre Study

Frontiers in Public Health

article

Johannes Knitza¹  Felix Muehlensiepen³  Yuriy Ignatyev⁴  Franziska Fuchs¹  Jacob Mohn¹  David Simon¹  Arnd Kleyer¹  Filippo Fagni¹  Sebastian Boeltz¹  Harriet Morf¹  Christina Bergmann¹  Hannah Labinsky¹  Wolfgang Vorbrüggen⁵  Andreas Ramming¹  Jörg H. W. Distler¹  Peter Bartz-Bazzanella⁶  Nicolas Vuillerme³  Georg Schett¹  Martin Welcker⁶  Axel J. Hueber^1,11 

[1] Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen;Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie ,(DZI), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen;Université Grenoble Alpes;Center for Health Services Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane;Verein zur Förderung der Rheumatologie e.V.;RheumaDatenRhePort;Klinik für Internistische Rheumatologie;Institut Universitaire de France;LabCom Telecom4Health, Orange Labs & Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Inria;MVZ für Rheumatologie Dr. Martin Welcker GmbH;Section Rheumatology;Division of Rheumatology, Klinikum Nürnberg, Paracelsus Medical University

关键词: telemedicine;    symptom assessment [MeSH];    artificial intelligence;    eHealth;    diagnostic decision support system (DDSS);    rheumatology;    mobile app;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpubh.2022.844669

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Introduction An increasing number of digital tools, including dedicated diagnostic decision support systems (DDSS) exist to better assess new symptoms and understand when and where to seek medical care. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient's previous online assessment experiences and to compare the acceptability, usability, usefulness and potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI)-based symptom checker (Ada) and an online questionnaire-based self-referral tool (Rheport). Materials and Methods Patients newly presenting to three German secondary rheumatology outpatient clinics were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to complete consecutively Ada or Rheport in a prospective non-blinded multicentre controlled crossover randomized trial. DDSS completion time was recorded by local study personnel and perceptions on DDSS and previous online assessment were collected through a self-completed study questionnaire, including usability measured with the validated System Usability Scale (SUS). Results 600 patients (median age 52 years, 418 women) were included. 277/600 (46.2%) of patients used an online search engine prior to the appointment. The median time patients spent assessing symptoms was 180, 7, and 8 min, respectively using online using search engines, Ada and Rheport. 111/275 (40.4%), 266/600 (44.3%) and 395/600 (65.8%) of patients rated the respective symptom assessment as very helpful or helpful, using online search engines, Ada and Rheport, respectively. Usability of both diagnostic decision support systems (DDSS) was “good” with a significantly higher mean SUS score (SD) of Rheport 77.1/100 (16.0) compared to Ada 74.4/100 (16.8), ( p < 0.0001). In male patients, usability of Rheport was rated higher than Ada ( p = 0.02) and the usability rating of older (52 years ≥) patients of both DDSS was lower than in younger participants ( p = 0.005). Both effects were independent of each other. 440/600 (73.3%) and 475/600 (79.2%) of the patients would recommend Ada and Rheport to friends and other patients, respectively. Conclusion In summary, patients increasingly assess their symptoms independently online, however only a minority used dedicated symptom assessment websites or DDSS. DDSS, such as Ada an Rheport are easy to use, well accepted among patients with musculoskeletal complaints and could replace online search engines for patient symptom assessment, potentially saving time and increasing helpfulness.

【 授权许可】

CC BY