Lars Pape1,2, Martina de Zwaan3,2, Mario Schiffer4,2, Lena Schiffer5,6, Raoul Gertges2, Mariel Nöhre3,2, Elisabeth Schieffer2,7, Uwe Tegtbur2,7. 1. Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Carl Neuberg Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany. 2. Project Kidney Transplantation 360°, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. 3. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. 4. Department of Nephrology, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander University, Erlangen, Germany. 5. Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Carl Neuberg Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany. schiffer.lena@mh-hannover.de. 6. Project Kidney Transplantation 360°, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. schiffer.lena@mh-hannover.de. 7. Department of Sports Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Internet-based technologies play an increasingly important role in the management and outcome of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The healthcare system is currently flooded with digital innovations and internet-based technologies as a consequence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, information about the attitude of German CKD-patients with access to online tools towards the use of remote, internet-based interactions such as video conferencing, email, electronic medical records and apps in general and for health issues in particular, are missing. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND MEASUREMENTS: To address the use, habits and willingness of CKD patients in handling internet-based technologies we conducted a nationwide cross-sectional questionnaire survey in adults with CKD. RESULTS: We used 380 questionnaires from adult CKD patients (47.6% on dialysis, 43.7% transplanted and 8.7% CKD before renal replacement therapy) for analysis. Of these 18.9% denied using the internet at all (nonusers). Nonusers were significantly older (74.4 years, SD 11.4) than users (54.5 years, SD 14.5, p < 0.001), had a lower educational level than users (≥ 12 years: 6.9% versus 47.1%, p < 0.001) and were more often on dialysis. Within the group of internet users only a minority (2.6%) was using video conferencing with their physician, only 11.7% stated that they were using email to report symptoms and 26.6% were using the internet to schedule appointments. Slightly more than one-third of internet users (35.1%) are concerned that their personal medical data are not safe when submitted via the internet. CONCLUSIONS: Within our group of German CKD-patients we found that almost one out of five patients, especially older patients and patients with a lower educational level, did not use the internet at all. The majority of internet users reported in our survey that they have not used internet-based technologies within a medical context so far, but are willing to consider it. Therefore, it seems to be important to introduce and teach motivated CKD-patients the use and benefits of simple and safe internet-based health care technologies.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Internet-based technologies play an increasingly important role in the management and outcome ofpatients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The healthcare system is currently flooded with digital innovations and internet-based technologies as a consequence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, information about the attitude of German CKD-patients with access to online tools towards the use of remote, internet-based interactions such as video conferencing, email, electronic medical records and apps in general and for health issues in particular, are missing. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND MEASUREMENTS: To address the use, habits and willingness of CKDpatients in handling internet-based technologies we conducted a nationwide cross-sectional questionnaire survey in adults with CKD. RESULTS: We used 380 questionnaires from adult CKDpatients (47.6% on dialysis, 43.7% transplanted and 8.7% CKD before renal replacement therapy) for analysis. Of these 18.9% denied using the internet at all (nonusers). Nonusers were significantly older (74.4 years, SD 11.4) than users (54.5 years, SD 14.5, p < 0.001), had a lower educational level than users (≥ 12 years: 6.9% versus 47.1%, p < 0.001) and were more often on dialysis. Within the group of internet users only a minority (2.6%) was using video conferencing with their physician, only 11.7% stated that they were using email to report symptoms and 26.6% were using the internet to schedule appointments. Slightly more than one-third of internet users (35.1%) are concerned that their personal medical data are not safe when submitted via the internet. CONCLUSIONS: Within our group of German CKD-patients we found that almost one out of five patients, especially older patients and patients with a lower educational level, did not use the internet at all. The majority of internet users reported in our survey that they have not used internet-based technologies within a medical context so far, but are willing to consider it. Therefore, it seems to be important to introduce and teach motivated CKD-patients the use and benefits of simple and safe internet-based health care technologies.
Authors: Jessica K Stevenson; Zoe C Campbell; Angela C Webster; Clara K Chow; Allison Tong; Jonathan C Craig; Katrina L Campbell; Vincent Ws Lee Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2019-08-06
Authors: Keren Ladin; Thalia Porteny; Julia M Perugini; Kristina M Gonzales; Kate E Aufort; Sarah K Levine; John B Wong; Tamara Isakova; Dena Rifkin; Elisa J Gordon; Ana Rossi; Susan Koch-Weser; Daniel E Weiner Journal: JAMA Netw Open Date: 2021-12-01