Table 2.
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Questions used in the study from the ePatient Survey 2018 | Evaluation of the responses |
Questions assessing the perceived usefulness according to the TAMa | ||
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“Imagine that you as a patient use an online program or an app that stores all your illness data for you at all times. With whom would you want to share this data (as a patient)?” (value, social support, emotion, confidence) | In this scenario, 81% (n=7793) would like to share their data with their attending physician, 35% (n=3367) with their clinic, 28% (n=2693) with their health insurance provider, 13% (n=1251) with none of the above, and 5% (n=481) with the company producing their medication. |
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“What was the longest time you have ever used the same app or specific online disease, treatment, or health program?” (experience, usability) | 37% (n=1607) of users stopped using it after only a few days, 20% (n=869) after a few weeks, 19% (n=825) after a few months, and 24% (n=1043) used it for ≥1 year. |
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“Precisely how did your medication app help you?” (value, usability, accessibility, emotion, independence, experience, confidence) | 51% (n=306) of users said it helped them take their medication regularly, 27% (n=162) said it made no difference, 22% (n=132) saw somewhat of an improvement, 57% (n=342) saw an improvement in handling their medication, 29% (n=174) saw somewhat of an improvement, and 14% (n=84) did not see an improvement. |
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“How exactly did your online coaching program help you? – I cope much better with my illness and my everyday life with the illness.” (value, usability, accessibility, technical support, social support, emotion, independence, experience, confidence) | 33% (n=41) of online coaching program users said they were coping better with their illness in everyday life, 50% (n=63) saw somewhat of an improvement, and 17% (n=21) saw no improvement. |
Questions assessing the perceived ease of use according to the TAM | ||
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Online programs and apps for health topics: “How well were you able to handle it at the beginning?” (usability, accessibility, independence, experience, confidence) | More than 50% (total n=4446) of users initially had minor to major difficulties operating health programs and apps, 46% (n=2045) stated that it was easy from the start, 39% (n=1734) stated that it required some experimentation and patience, and 15% (n=667) had major issues. |
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“You said you have used an online coaching program for your illness or an app for your medications: Do you remember where you found out about this application?” (accessibility, independence) | 68% (n=717) discovered the app by searching the internet themselves, 16% (n=169) received a recommendation for the app from their health insurance fund, 9% (n=95) from their physician, 8% (n=84) from family and friends, 8% (n=84) from magazines or the radio, and 5% (n=53) from their pharmacy. |
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“Imagine that someone recommends an online program or app customized for your illness/treatment. From whom would you most like to get it?” (technical support, social support, emotion, experience) | 72% (n=6927) would prefer to get this app from the attending physician, 40% (n=3848) from their health insurance provider, 20% (n=1924) would search for it by themselves on the internet, 15% (n=1443) would obtain it through a pharmacy, 13% (n=1251) from their hospital, and 8% (n=770) and 5% (n=481) from the company producing the medical device or medication, respectively. |
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“Imagine that an app or an online program is tailored to you and your illness, including diagnostic and treatment data. From whom would you use such an application?” (affordability, accessibility, technical support, social support, emotion, independence, experience, confidence) | The majority of respondents said that they would use such an app if it came from their health insurance provider (55%, n=5292) or their physician's software (55%, n=5292). In addition, 23% (n = 2213) would use a governmental app, 12% (n=1155) one from an information technology provider in Germany and 6% (n=577), 5% (n=481), and 1.5% (n=144) from Google, Apple, and Amazon, respectively. |
aTAM: Technology Acceptance Model.