Use and acceptance of electronic communication by patients with multiple sclerosis: a multicenter questionnaire study.
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2012-10-16
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The number of multiple sclerosis MS information websites online communities and Web based health education programs has been increasing However MS patients willingness to use new ways of communication such as websites mobile phone application short message service or email with their physician remains unknown OBJECTIVES We designed a questionnaire to evaluate the a priori use of electronic communication methods by MS patients and to assess their acceptance of such tools for communication with their health care providers METHODS We received complete data from 586 MS patients aged between 17 and 73 years Respondents were surveyed in outpatient clinics across Germany using a novel paper and pencil questionnaire In addition to demographics the survey items queried frequency of use of familiarity with and comfort with using computers websites email and mobile phones RESULTS About 90 of all MS patients used a personal computer 534 586 and the Internet 527 586 at least once a week 87 0 510 586 communicated by email and 85 6 488 570 communicated by mobile phone When asked about their comfort with using electronic communication methods for communication with health care providers 20 5 120 586 accepted communication by mobile Internet application or short message service via mobile phone 41 0 240 586 by websites 54 3 318 586 by email service and 67 8 397 586 by at least one type of electronic communication The level of a priori use was the best predictor for the acceptance of electronic communication with health care providers Patients who reported already searching online for health information odds ratio 2 4 P Under 001 and who had already communicated with a physician through a website odds ratio 3 3 P 03 reported higher acceptance for Web based communication Patients who already scheduled appointments with their mobile phones odds ratio 2 1 P 002 were more likely to accept the use of mobile phone applications or short message service for communicating with their physician CONCLUSIONS The majority of MS patients seen at specialist centers already use modern communication technology regularly New forms of electronic communication appear to have high levels of acceptance for exchanging information about MS between patients and health care providers Such methods should be integrated into eHealth services such as electronic health records and patient relationship management systems