ISQUA18-1576Mobile Digital Information and Communication Technology in Healthcare: Patients Attitude and Quality Management Aspects

Abstract

Objectives: The use of modern information and communication technology (ICT) in healthcare is growing rapidly. The aim of this study is an evaluation of the present use, the potential of modern ICT for health reasons, and quality management aspects regarding the use of mobile health applications (mHealth) for cross sectoral care. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out through the administration of a questionnaire addressed to 255 walk-in patients in the emergency department of a primary medical center in Germany. The questionnaire was composed of four parts: (1) sociodemographic data (2) present use of information and communication systems in everyday life and (3) for health reasons and (4) estimated potential of eHealth for cross sectoral online patient-physician communication. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Software (IBM Corp., USA). Results: 92.8% of patients have a web-enabled computer and 91.1% are smartphone users. 84.1% use the internet regularly for everyday life. Even if 83.2% of the patients did not know the term “eHealth”, 68.5% of them look online for health related information. 67.8% of all ages would use web-based appointment management and communication systems. 65.1% would like to receive medical reports and lab results by e-mail, and 48.5% would send their personal health information to their physician using a smartphone. Nevertheless, 47.6% of the patients have concerns about data security communicating personal health information online. The analyzed sociodemographic and personal health related aspects show no significant differences when it comes to health related internet use. This becomes different, when it comes to the use of mobile devices for digital health related communication from the patient's perspective. mHealth use by patient's is significantly influenced by age (p = 0.001), education level (p = 0.001), and regular medication intake (p = 0.003) whereas gender and community size do not seem to play a significant impact. 81.8% of questioned patients expect time savings by a deeper integration of eHealth in cross sectoral care, 77.1% expect reduced travel expenses, and 34.1% improved medical care in rural areas 32.7% expect cost savings, 27.6% new treatment options and 15.0% an overall improvement of treatment quality. Conclusion: Modern ICT predominantly accepted by patients for online communication of personal health related information. This study further shows that a deeper integration of eHealth might have a high potential for improving quality, efficacy and safety of cross sectoral care. We could also demonstrate that data safety and data security is an important aspect which particularly should be focused on in further studies.