Rheumatology Patients and Digital Health: A Missed Opportunity?

In Germany, digital health applications, or DiGAs, have been available for prescription and reimbursement since 2020. These apps aim to help patients manage their health independently. A recent study looked into how rheumatology patients are using these digital tools. The study surveyed 246 adult patients, mostly women, from seven outpatient clinics. The average age was 50. 4 years. Most patients were treated at university hospitals. The most common conditions were rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and axial spondyloarthritis. Interestingly, only 19. 5% of patients had used medical apps before. However, 39. 8% knew about DiGAs, and 12. 6% had used one. A large number of patients, 84. 6%, had at least one condition that a DiGA could help with. The most common conditions were back pain, chronic pain, and sleep disorders. Most patients, 72. 4%, were willing to use a DiGA regularly. They were also open to recommendations from their doctors or health insurers. Additionally, 76. 0% were interested in a DiGA specifically for rheumatology. Despite this interest, the actual use of DiGAs was low. This suggests that more needs to be done to help patients understand and use these digital tools. Doctors should play a bigger role in educating patients about DiGAs and their benefits. The study highlights a gap between interest and actual use. It shows that there is a need for better strategies to increase the adoption of DiGAs in rheumatology care. This could help patients manage their health more effectively.