In the age of digitalization, the use of new technologies is also becoming increasingly important in dermatology. A team from the Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and the Nursing Professions at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf has identified factors that can promote or hinder the use of such applications.
In the systematic literature search, the research team led by Prof. Dr. med. Matthias Augustin and Dr. med. Natalia Kirsten included evaluation studies on eHealth applications in dermatology as well as other literature sources such as surveys and interviews. Of 9349 hits in the PubMed database, 891 full texts were identified, from which a random sample of 60 publications was drawn. Relevant text passages were extracted and thematically categorized and evaluated using qualitative content analysis.
Pros and cons – findings of the secondary analysis at a glance
Factors explored as facilitators for the use of digital applications included: a high level of user-friendliness, secured funding, and compatibility with routine digital devices. The following aspects were identified as significant barriers: Mistrust of digital technologies, increased administrative effort, and the lack of integration into the practice software. Improved access to care, more detailed documentation of the disease, and reduced travel and waiting times were cited as expected positive effects. Potential negative effects feared included overuse of digital applications for financial reasons, an increase in unnecessary consultations, and triggered anxiety and confusion among patients. The authors suggest that the identified factors should be confirmed and discussed in further qualitative and quantitative studies. In the future development and implementation of digital applications for dermatology, the identified barriers and facilitators should be increasingly taken into account.
Source: Reinders P, et al: Scoping review on barriers and facilitators of eHealth applications in dermatology – A qualitative content analysis. Dermatologie kompakt und praxisnah 18-20.02.2022, abstract volume, P016.
DERMATOLOGIE PRAXIS 2022; 32(3): 38 (published 6/14/22, ahead of print).
