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

Abstract

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.

Keywords

• digital health literacy
• health information exchange
• knowledge about digital health infrastructures
• mobile applications
• self‐management