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Klein TL, Bender J, Bolton S, Collin-Histed T, Daher A, De Baere L, Dong D, Hopkin J, Johnson J, Lai T, Pavlou M, Schaller T, Žnidar I. A rare partnership: patient community and industry collaboration to shape the impact of real-world evidence on the rare disease ecosystem. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2024; 19:262. [PMID: 38987844 PMCID: PMC11234558 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-024-03262-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
People with rare lysosomal storage diseases face challenges in their care that arise from disease complexity and heterogeneity, compounded by many healthcare professionals being unfamiliar with these diseases. These challenges can result in long diagnostic journeys and inadequate care. Over 30 years ago, the Rare Disease Registries for Gaucher, Fabry, Mucopolysaccharidosis type I and Pompe diseases were established to address knowledge gaps in disease natural history, clinical manifestations of disease and treatment outcomes. Evidence generated from the real-world data collected in these registries supports multiple stakeholders, including patients, healthcare providers, drug developers, researchers and regulators. To maximise the impact of real-world evidence from these registries, engagement and collaboration with the patient communities is essential. To this end, the Rare Disease Registries Patient Council was established in 2019 as a partnership between the Rare Disease Registries and global and local patient advocacy groups to share perspectives on how registry data are used and disseminated. The Patient Council has resulted in a number of patient initiatives including patient representation at Rare Disease Registries advisory boards; development of plain language summaries of registry publications to increase availability of real-world evidence to patient communities; and implementation of digital innovations such as electronic patient-reported outcomes, and patient-facing registry reports and electronic consent (in development), all to enhance patient engagement. The Patient Council is building on the foundations of industry-patient advocacy group collaboration to fully integrate patient communities in decision-making and co-create solutions for the rare disease community.
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Affiliation(s)
- T L Klein
- National MPS Society, PO Box 14686, Durham, NC, USA.
- International MPS Network, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
| | | | - S Bolton
- International Niemann-Pick Disease Registry (INPDR), Newcastle, UK
| | - T Collin-Histed
- International Gaucher Alliance (IGA), London, UK
- Gaucher Registry for Development, Innovation & Analysis of Neuronopathic Disease (GARDIAN), London, UK
| | - A Daher
- Casa Hunter - Brazilian Association of Hunter Disease Patients and Other Rare Diseases, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L De Baere
- Fabry International Network (FIN), Antwerp, Belgium
| | - D Dong
- Sanofi, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - J Hopkin
- National Niemann-Pick Disease Foundation (NNPDF), Rochester, NY, USA
| | - J Johnson
- Fabry International Network (FIN), Antwerp, Belgium
- Fabry Support & Information Group (FSIG), Concordia, MO, USA
| | - T Lai
- Hong Kong Mucopolysaccharidoses & Rare Genetic Diseases Mutual Aid Group (HKMPS), Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - M Pavlou
- Fabry International Network (FIN), Antwerp, Belgium
| | - T Schaller
- International Pompe Association (IPA), Baarn, The Netherlands
- Pompe Deutschland eV, Weingarten (Baden), Germany
| | - I Žnidar
- International Gaucher Alliance (IGA), London, UK
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2
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Masanneck L, Stern AD. Tracing Digital Therapeutics Research Across Medical Specialties: Evidence from ClinicalTrials.gov. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2024; 116:177-185. [PMID: 38563641 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.3260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Digital therapeutics (DTx), evidence-based software interventions for preventing, managing, or treating medical disorders, have rapidly evolved with healthcare's shift toward online, patient-centric solutions. This study scrutinizes DTx clinical trials from 2005 to 2022, analyzing their growth, funding, underlying medical specialties, and other R&D characteristics, using ClinicalTrials.gov data. Our analysis includes trials categorized via the ICD-11 system, covering active, recruiting, or completed studies and considering trials listing multiple conditions. In analyzing 5,889 registered DTx trials, we document a more than five-fold increase in such trials since 2011, and a compound annual growth rate of 22.82% since 2005. While most trials were single-center, the median number of study subjects increased in recent years, driven by larger interventional trials. The key disciplines driving this growth were psychiatry, neurology, oncology, and endocrinology. Mental health dominated DTx trials in recent years, led by neurocognitive disorders, substance abuse disorders, and mood disorders. Industry funding varied across disciplines and was particularly high in visual system diseases and dermatology. DTx trials have surged since 2005, accelerated by recent growth in mental health trials. These trends mirror developments toward remote healthcare delivery, amplified by digital health investments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Growing numbers of participants in DTx trials point to increased demand for more robust trials. However, because most trials are single-center and country-specific, more international cooperation and harmonized evaluation standards will be essential for DTx trials to become more efficient and provide validation across countries, health systems, and groups of individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Masanneck
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Digital Health Cluster, Hasso-Plattner Institute, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Ariel D Stern
- Digital Health Cluster, Hasso-Plattner Institute, Potsdam, Germany
- Technology and Operations Management Unit, Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard-MIT Center for Regulatory Science, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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3
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Daniore P, Nittas V, Haag C, Bernard J, Gonzenbach R, von Wyl V. From wearable sensor data to digital biomarker development: ten lessons learned and a framework proposal. NPJ Digit Med 2024; 7:161. [PMID: 38890529 PMCID: PMC11189504 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-024-01151-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Wearable sensor technologies are becoming increasingly relevant in health research, particularly in the context of chronic disease management. They generate real-time health data that can be translated into digital biomarkers, which can provide insights into our health and well-being. Scientific methods to collect, interpret, analyze, and translate health data from wearables to digital biomarkers vary, and systematic approaches to guide these processes are currently lacking. This paper is based on an observational, longitudinal cohort study, BarKA-MS, which collected wearable sensor data on the physical rehabilitation of people living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Based on our experience with BarKA-MS, we provide and discuss ten lessons we learned in relation to digital biomarker development across key study phases. We then summarize these lessons into a guiding framework (DACIA) that aims to informs the use of wearable sensor data for digital biomarker development and chronic disease management for future research and teaching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Daniore
- Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Digital Society Initiative, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Vasileios Nittas
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University, Providence, USA
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christina Haag
- Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jürgen Bernard
- Digital Society Initiative, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Computer Science, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Viktor von Wyl
- Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Digital Society Initiative, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), Zurich, Switzerland.
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4
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Lehmann M, Jones L, Schirmann F. App Engagement as a Predictor of Weight Loss in Blended-Care Interventions: Retrospective Observational Study Using Large-Scale Real-World Data. J Med Internet Res 2024; 26:e45469. [PMID: 38848556 PMCID: PMC11193074 DOI: 10.2196/45469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early weight loss is an established predictor for treatment outcomes in weight management interventions for people with obesity. However, there is a paucity of additional, reliable, and clinically actionable early predictors in weight management interventions. Novel blended-care weight management interventions combine coach and app support and afford new means of structured, continuous data collection, informing research on treatment adherence and outcome prediction. OBJECTIVE Against this backdrop, this study analyzes app engagement as a predictor for weight loss in large-scale, real-world, blended-care interventions. We hypothesize that patients who engage more frequently in app usage in blended-care treatment (eg, higher logging activity) lose more weight than patients who engage comparably less frequently at 3 and 6 months of intervention. METHODS Real-world data from 19,211 patients in obesity treatment were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were treated with 3 different blended-care weight management interventions, offered in Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Germany by a digital behavior change provider. The principal component analysis identified an overarching metric for app engagement based on app usage. A median split informed a distinction in higher and lower engagers among the patients. Both groups were matched through optimal propensity score matching for relevant characteristics (eg, gender, age, and start weight). A linear regression model, combining patient characteristics and app-derived data, was applied to identify predictors for weight loss outcomes. RESULTS For the entire sample (N=19,211), mean weight loss was -3.24% (SD 4.58%) at 3 months and -5.22% (SD 6.29%) at 6 months. Across countries, higher app engagement yielded more weight loss than lower engagement after 3 but not after 6 months of intervention (P3 months<.001 and P6 months=.59). Early app engagement within the first 3 months predicted percentage weight loss in Switzerland and Germany, but not in the United Kingdom (PSwitzerland<.001, PUnited Kingdom=.12, and PGermany=.005). Higher age was associated with stronger weight loss in the 3-month period (PSwitzerland=.001, PUnited Kingdom=.002, and PGermany<.001) and, for Germany, also in the 6-month period (PSwitzerland=.09, PUnited Kingdom=.46, and PGermany=.03). In Switzerland, higher numbers of patients' messages to coaches were associated with higher weight loss (P3 months<.001 and P6 months<.001). Messages from coaches were not significantly associated with weight loss (all P>.05). CONCLUSIONS Early app engagement is a predictor of weight loss, with higher engagement yielding more weight loss than lower engagement in this analysis. This new predictor lends itself to automated monitoring and as a digital indicator for needed or adapted clinical action. Further research needs to establish the reliability of early app engagement as a predictor for treatment adherence and outcomes. In general, the obtained results testify to the potential of app-derived data to inform clinical monitoring practices and intervention design.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucy Jones
- Oviva UK Limited, London, United Kingdom
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5
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Marwaha JS, Downing M, Halamka J, Abernethy A, Franklin JB, Anderson B, Kohane I, Wagholikar K, Brownstein J, Haendel M, Brat GA. Mobilizing data during a crisis: Building rapid evidence pipelines using multi-institutional real world data. HEALTHCARE (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2024; 12:100738. [PMID: 38531228 DOI: 10.1016/j.hjdsi.2024.100738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic generated tremendous interest in using real world data (RWD). Many consortia across the public and private sectors formed in 2020 with the goal of rapidly producing high-quality evidence from RWD to guide medical decision-making, public health priorities, and more. Experiences were gathered from five large consortia on rapid multi-institutional evidence generation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Insights have been compiled across five dimensions: consortium composition, governance structure and alignment of priorities, data sharing, data analysis, and evidence dissemination. The purpose of this piece is to offer guidance on building large-scale multi-institutional RWD analysis pipelines for future public health issues. The composition of each consortium was largely influenced by existing collaborations. A central set of priorities for evidence generation guided each consortium, however different approaches to governance emerged. Challenges surrounding limited access to clinical data due to various contributors were overcome in unique ways. While all consortia used different methods to construct and analyze patient cohorts ranging from centralized to federated approaches, all proved effective for generating meaningful real-world evidence. Actionable recommendations for clinical practice and public health agencies were made from translating insights from consortium analyses. Each consortium was successful in rapidly answering questions about COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment despite all taking slightly different approaches to data sharing and analysis. Leveraging RWD, leveraged in a manner that applies scientific rigor and transparency, can complement higher-level evidence and serve as an important adjunct to clinical trials to quickly guide policy and critical care, especially for a pandemic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayson S Marwaha
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maren Downing
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Lillington, NC, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Melissa Haendel
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus School of Medicine, USA
| | - Gabriel A Brat
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
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6
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Schmidt L, Pawlitzki M, Renard BY, Meuth SG, Masanneck L. The three-year evolution of Germany's Digital Therapeutics reimbursement program and its path forward. NPJ Digit Med 2024; 7:139. [PMID: 38789620 PMCID: PMC11126413 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-024-01137-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The 2019 German Digital Healthcare Act introduced the Digital Health Application program, known in German as 'Digitale Gesundheitsanwendungen' (DiGA). The program has established a pioneering model for integrating Digital Therapeutics (DTx) into a healthcare system with scalable and effective reimbursement strategies. To date, the continuous upward trend enabled by this framework has resulted in more than 374,000 DiGA prescriptions, increasingly cementing its role in the German healthcare system. This perspective provides a synthesis of the DiGA program's evolution since its inception three years ago, highlighting trends regarding prescriptions and pricing as well as criticisms and identified shortcomings. It further discusses forthcoming legislative amendments, including the anticipated integration of higher-risk medical devices, which have the potential to significantly transform the program. Despite encountering challenges related to effectiveness, evidence requirements, and integration within the healthcare system, the DiGA program continues to evolve and serves as a seminal example for the integration of DTx, offering valuable insights for healthcare systems globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linea Schmidt
- Hasso Plattner Institute, Digital Engineering Faculty, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
- Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Health at Mount Sinai, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Windreich Dept. of Artificial Intelligence & Human Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marc Pawlitzki
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Bernhard Y Renard
- Hasso Plattner Institute, Digital Engineering Faculty, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
- Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Health at Mount Sinai, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Windreich Dept. of Artificial Intelligence & Human Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sven G Meuth
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Lars Masanneck
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
- German Society of Digital Medicine e.V. (DGDM), Berlin, Germany.
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7
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Wipperman MF, Lin AZ, Gayvert KM, Lahner B, Somersan-Karakaya S, Wu X, Im J, Lee M, Koyani B, Setliff I, Thakur M, Duan D, Breazna A, Wang F, Lim WK, Halasz G, Urbanek J, Patel Y, Atwal GS, Hamilton JD, Stuart S, Levy O, Avbersek A, Alaj R, Hamon SC, Harari O. Digital wearable insole-based identification of knee arthropathies and gait signatures using machine learning. eLife 2024; 13:e86132. [PMID: 38686919 DOI: 10.7554/elife.86132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Gait is impaired in musculoskeletal conditions, such as knee arthropathy. Gait analysis is used in clinical practice to inform diagnosis and monitor disease progression or intervention response. However, clinical gait analysis relies on subjective visual observation of walking as objective gait analysis has not been possible within clinical settings due to the expensive equipment, large-scale facilities, and highly trained staff required. Relatively low-cost wearable digital insoles may offer a solution to these challenges. In this work, we demonstrate how a digital insole measuring osteoarthritis-specific gait signatures yields similar results to the clinical gait-lab standard. To achieve this, we constructed a machine learning model, trained on force plate data collected in participants with knee arthropathy and controls. This model was highly predictive of force plate data from a validation set (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve [auROC] = 0.86; area under the precision-recall curve [auPR] = 0.90) and of a separate, independent digital insole dataset containing control and knee osteoarthritis subjects (auROC = 0.83; auPR = 0.86). After showing that digital insole-derived gait characteristics are comparable to traditional gait measurements, we next showed that a single stride of raw sensor time-series data could be accurately assigned to each subject, highlighting that individuals using digital insoles can be identified by their gait characteristics. This work provides a framework for a promising alternative to traditional clinical gait analysis methods, adds to the growing body of knowledge regarding wearable technology analytical pipelines, and supports clinical development of at-home gait assessments, with the potential to improve the ease, frequency, and depth of patient monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew F Wipperman
- Precision Medicine, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
- Early Clinical Development & Experimental Sciences, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
| | - Allen Z Lin
- Molecular Profiling & Data Science, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
| | - Kaitlyn M Gayvert
- Molecular Profiling & Data Science, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
| | - Benjamin Lahner
- Precision Medicine, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
- Early Clinical Development & Experimental Sciences, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
- Molecular Profiling & Data Science, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
| | - Selin Somersan-Karakaya
- Early Clinical Development & Experimental Sciences, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
| | - Xuefang Wu
- Clinical Outcomes Assessment and Patient Innovation, Global Clinical Trial Services, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
| | - Joseph Im
- Clinical Outcomes Assessment and Patient Innovation, Global Clinical Trial Services, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
| | - Minji Lee
- Molecular Profiling & Data Science, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
| | - Bharatkumar Koyani
- Clinical Outcomes Assessment and Patient Innovation, Global Clinical Trial Services, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
| | - Ian Setliff
- Molecular Profiling & Data Science, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
| | - Malika Thakur
- Clinical Outcomes Assessment and Patient Innovation, Global Clinical Trial Services, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
| | - Daoyu Duan
- Precision Medicine, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
- Early Clinical Development & Experimental Sciences, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
| | - Aurora Breazna
- Biostatistics and Data Management, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
| | - Fang Wang
- Precision Medicine, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
- Early Clinical Development & Experimental Sciences, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
| | - Wei Keat Lim
- Molecular Profiling & Data Science, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
| | - Gabor Halasz
- Molecular Profiling & Data Science, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
| | - Jacek Urbanek
- Biostatistics and Data Management, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
| | - Yamini Patel
- General Medicine, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
| | - Gurinder S Atwal
- Molecular Profiling & Data Science, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
| | - Jennifer D Hamilton
- Precision Medicine, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
- Early Clinical Development & Experimental Sciences, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
| | - Samuel Stuart
- Clinical Outcomes Assessment and Patient Innovation, Global Clinical Trial Services, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
| | - Oren Levy
- Early Clinical Development & Experimental Sciences, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
| | - Andreja Avbersek
- Early Clinical Development & Experimental Sciences, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
| | - Rinol Alaj
- Clinical Outcomes Assessment and Patient Innovation, Global Clinical Trial Services, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
| | - Sara C Hamon
- Precision Medicine, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
- Early Clinical Development & Experimental Sciences, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
| | - Olivier Harari
- Early Clinical Development & Experimental Sciences, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tarrytown, United States
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Busis NA, Marolia D, Montgomery R, Balcer LJ, Galetta SL, Grossman SN. Navigating the U.S. regulatory landscape for neurologic digital health technologies. NPJ Digit Med 2024; 7:94. [PMID: 38609447 PMCID: PMC11014948 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-024-01098-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Neil A Busis
- Department of Neurology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | | | - Robert Montgomery
- Clinical Affairs and Ambulatory Care, NYU Langone Health System, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura J Balcer
- Department of Neurology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Steven L Galetta
- Department of Neurology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Scott N Grossman
- Department of Neurology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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9
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Tarricone R, Petracca F, Svae L, Cucciniello M, Ciani O. Which behaviour change techniques work best for diabetes self-management mobile apps? Results from a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. EBioMedicine 2024; 103:105091. [PMID: 38579364 PMCID: PMC11002812 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Self-management is pivotal in addressing noncommunicable diseases, such as diabetes. The increased availability of digital behaviour change interventions (DBCIs) delivered through mobile health apps offers unprecedented opportunities to enhance self-management and improve health outcomes. However, little is known about the characteristics of DBCIs for diabetes that significantly impact glycaemic control. Therefore, our systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to summarize characteristics and behaviour change components in DBCIs for diabetes self-management and explore potential associations with metabolic outcomes. METHODS A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus to identify randomized controlled trials published until November 2023. The main outcome variable was the change in the mean difference of HbA1c levels between baseline and follow-up across intervention and control groups. Random-effects meta-regression was used to explore variation in glycaemic control as a function of prespecified characteristics of study designs and app interventions. FINDINGS A total of 57 studies was included in the analysis, showing a statistically significant percentage point reduction in HbA1c for the intervention group compared to the control arm (-0.36, 95% CI = -0.46 to -0.26, p < 0.001). The inclusion of "self-monitoring of behaviour" as a behaviour change technique (β = -0.22, p = 0.04) and "taking medication" as a target behaviour (β = -0.20, p = 0.05) was associated with improved metabolic outcomes. INTERPRETATION Our analyses endorse the use of diabetes self-management apps, highlighting characteristics statistically associated with intervention effectiveness and guiding the design of more effective DBCIs. FUNDING This project received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna Tarricone
- Department of Social and Political Sciences, Bocconi University, Milan, Italy; Centre for Research on Health and Social Care Management (CERGAS), Government, Health and Not for Profit Division, SDA Bocconi School of Management, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Petracca
- Centre for Research on Health and Social Care Management (CERGAS), Government, Health and Not for Profit Division, SDA Bocconi School of Management, Milan, Italy.
| | - Liv Svae
- Centre for Research on Health and Social Care Management (CERGAS), Government, Health and Not for Profit Division, SDA Bocconi School of Management, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Cucciniello
- Department of Social and Political Sciences, Bocconi University, Milan, Italy; Centre for Research on Health and Social Care Management (CERGAS), Government, Health and Not for Profit Division, SDA Bocconi School of Management, Milan, Italy
| | - Oriana Ciani
- Centre for Research on Health and Social Care Management (CERGAS), Government, Health and Not for Profit Division, SDA Bocconi School of Management, Milan, Italy
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Schliess F, Affini Dicenzo T, Gaus N, Bourez JM, Stegbauer C, Szecsenyi J, Jacobsen M, Müller-Wieland D, Kulzer B, Heinemann L. The German Fast Track Toward Reimbursement of Digital Health Applications: Opportunities and Challenges for Manufacturers, Healthcare Providers, and People With Diabetes. J Diabetes Sci Technol 2024; 18:470-476. [PMID: 36059268 PMCID: PMC10973846 DOI: 10.1177/19322968221121660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Digital health applications (DiGA) supporting the management of diabetes are among the most commonly available digital health technologies. However, transparent quality assurance of DiGA and clinical proof of a positive healthcare effect is often missing, which creates skepticism of some stakeholders regarding the usage and reimbursement of these applications. METHODS This article reviews the recently established fast-track integration of DiGA in the German reimbursement market, with emphasis on the current impact for manufacturers, healthcare providers, and people with diabetes. The German DiGA fast track is contextualised with corresponding initiatives in Europe. RESULTS The option of a provisional prescription and reimbursement of DiGA while proving a positive healthcare effect in parallel may expedite the adoption of DiGA in Germany and beyond. However, hurdles for a permanent prescription and reimbursement of DiGA are high and only one of 12 that have achieved this status specifically addresses people with diabetes. CONCLUSION The DiGA fast track needs to be further enhanced to cope with remaining skepticism and contribute even more to a value-based diabetes care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Constance Stegbauer
- AQUA Institute for Applied Quality Improvement and Research in Healthcare GmbH, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Joachim Szecsenyi
- AQUA Institute for Applied Quality Improvement and Research in Healthcare GmbH, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Malte Jacobsen
- Department of Internal Medicine I, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Dirk Müller-Wieland
- Department of Internal Medicine I, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Lutz Heinemann
- Profil Institut für Stoffwechselforschung GmbH, Neuss, Germany
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Masanneck L, Pawlitzki MG, Meuth SG. [Digital medicine in neurological research-Between hype and evidence]. DER NERVENARZT 2024; 95:230-235. [PMID: 38095660 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-023-01581-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The rapid advancement of digital medicine and health technologies in neurology offers both significant potential and challenges. This article outlines fundamental aspects of digital medicine related to neurological research and highlights application examples of digital technologies in neurological research. AIM To provide a comprehensive overview of current digital developments in neurology and their impact on neurological research. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this narrative review articles from various sources and references related to digital medicine and health technologies in neurology were compiled and analyzed. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The data presented indicate that digital health technologies and digital therapeutics have the potential to decisively shape neurological care and research; however, it is emphasized that a critical evaluation and evidence-based approach to these technologies are essential to determine their actual value in neurology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Masanneck
- Klinik für Neurologie, Medizinische Fakultät und Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Deutschland.
- Hasso-Plattner-Institut, Potsdam, Deutschland.
| | - Marc G Pawlitzki
- Klinik für Neurologie, Medizinische Fakultät und Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
| | - Sven G Meuth
- Klinik für Neurologie, Medizinische Fakultät und Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Deutschland.
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Leal Neto O, Von Wyl V. Digital Transformation of Public Health for Noncommunicable Diseases: Narrative Viewpoint of Challenges and Opportunities. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2024; 10:e49575. [PMID: 38271097 PMCID: PMC10853859 DOI: 10.2196/49575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic underscored the effectiveness and rapid deployment of digital public health interventions, notably the digital proximity tracing apps, leveraging Bluetooth capabilities to trace and notify users about potential infection exposures. Backed by renowned organizations such as the World Health Organization and the European Union, digital proximity tracings showcased the promise of digital public health. As the world pivots from pandemic responses, it becomes imperative to address noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) that account for a vast majority of health care expenses and premature disability-adjusted life years lost. The narrative of digital transformation in the realm of NCD public health is distinct from infectious diseases. Public health, with its multifaceted approach from disciplines such as medicine, epidemiology, and psychology, focuses on promoting healthy living and choices through functions categorized as "Assessment," "Policy Development," "Resource Allocation," "Assurance," and "Access." The power of artificial intelligence (AI) in this digital transformation is noteworthy. AI can automate repetitive tasks, facilitating health care providers to prioritize personal interactions, especially those that cannot be digitalized like emotional support. Moreover, AI presents tools for individuals to be proactive in their health management. However, the human touch remains irreplaceable; AI serves as a companion guiding through the health care landscape. Digital evolution, while revolutionary, poses its own set of challenges. Issues of equity and access are at the forefront. Vulnerable populations, whether due to economic constraints, geographical barriers, or digital illiteracy, face the threat of being marginalized further. This transformation mandates an inclusive strategy, focusing on not amplifying existing health disparities but eliminating them. Population-level digital interventions in NCD prevention demand societal agreement. Policies, like smoking bans or sugar taxes, though effective, might affect those not directly benefiting. Hence, all involved parties, from policy makers to the public, should have a balanced perspective on the advantages, risks, and expenses of these digital shifts. For a successful digital shift in public health, especially concerning NCDs, AI's potential to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, user experience, and equity-the "quadruple aim"-is undeniable. However, it is vital that AI-driven initiatives in public health domains remain purposeful, offering improvements without compromising other objectives. The broader success of digital public health hinges on transparent benchmarks and criteria, ensuring maximum benefits without sidelining minorities or vulnerable groups. Especially in population-centric decisions, like resource allocation, AI's ability to avoid bias is paramount. Therefore, the continuous involvement of stakeholders, including patients and minority groups, remains pivotal in the progression of AI-integrated digital public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onicio Leal Neto
- Department of Computer Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Global Health Institute, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Viktor Von Wyl
- Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Baumgart DC. An intriguing vision for transatlantic collaborative health data use and artificial intelligence development. NPJ Digit Med 2024; 7:19. [PMID: 38263436 PMCID: PMC10806986 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-024-01005-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Our traditional approach to diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment, can no longer process and transform the enormous volume of information into therapeutic success, innovative discovery, and health economic performance. Precision health, i.e., the right treatment, for the right person, at the right time in the right place, is enabled through a learning health system, in which medicine and multidisciplinary science, economic viability, diverse culture, and empowered patient's preferences are digitally integrated and conceptually aligned for continuous improvement and maintenance of health, wellbeing, and equity. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been successfully evaluated in risk stratification, accurate diagnosis, and treatment allocation, and to prevent health disparities. There is one caveat though: dependable AI models need to be trained on population-representative, large and deep data sets by multidisciplinary and multinational teams to avoid developer, statistical and social bias. Such applications and models can neither be created nor validated with data at the country, let alone institutional level and require a new dimension of collaboration, a cultural change with the establishment of trust in a precompetitive space. The Data for Health (#DFH23) conference in Berlin and the Follow-Up Workshop at Harvard University in Boston hosted a representative group of stakeholders in society, academia, industry, and government. With the momentum #DFH23 created, the European Health Data Space (EHDS) as a solid and safe foundation for consented collaborative health data use and the G7 Hiroshima AI process in place, we call on citizens and their governments to fully support digital transformation of medicine, research and innovation including AI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel C Baumgart
- Precision Health Signature Area, College of Health Sciences, College of Natural and Applied Sciences all at University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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14
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McDermott O, Kearney B. The value of using real-world evidence as a source of clinical evidence in the European medical device regulations: a mixed methods study. Expert Rev Med Devices 2024; 21:149-163. [PMID: 38041629 DOI: 10.1080/17434440.2023.2291454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study investigates the benefits, limitations and awareness of using Real World Evidence and Real World Data for post-market clinical follow-up studies and clinical evaluation reports in the European Medical Device Regulations. METHODOLOGY A mixed methods study was utilized with qualitative interviews and a quantitative survey. RESULTS The findings from the study demonstrate that in the case of the Medical Device Regulations, opportunities exist for manufacturers of legacy devices to conduct Real World Evidence studies to bridge gaps in clinical evidence. The primary value of Real World Evidence lies in its ability to provide an accurate and, therefore, more reliable measure of device safety and performance. As a measure of safety and performance, it supplements clinical evidence generated from pre and post-market clinical investigations, reducing the costs associated with these studies and supporting the manufacturer's benefit: risk conclusion. CONCLUSION This study provides insight into how the medical device industry could utilize Real World Evidence and have an initiative in the EU similar to the FDA-sponsored NESTcc partnership. This would aid medical device manufacturers in transitioning to the MDR clinical evaluation requirements and mitigate the impact on medical device availability in the EU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia McDermott
- College of Science & Engineering, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Breda Kearney
- College of Science & Engineering, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
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15
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Sumner J, Bundele A, Lim HW, Phan P, Motani M, Mukhopadhyay A. Developing an Artificial Intelligence-Driven Nudge Intervention to Improve Medication Adherence: A Human-Centred Design Approach. J Med Syst 2023; 48:3. [PMID: 38063940 PMCID: PMC10709244 DOI: 10.1007/s10916-023-02024-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
To improve medication adherence, we co-developed a digital, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven nudge intervention with stakeholders (patients, providers, and technologists). We used a human-centred design approach to incorporate user needs in creating an AI-driven nudge tool. We report the findings of the first stage of a multi-phase project: understanding user needs and ideating solutions. We interviewed healthcare providers (n = 10) and patients (n = 10). Providers also rated example nudge interventions in a survey. Stakeholders felt the intervention could address existing deficits in medication adherence tracking and were optimistic about the solution. Participants identified flexibility of the intervention, including mode of delivery, intervention intensity, and the ability to stratify to user ability and needs, as critical success factors. Reminder nudges and provision of healthcare worker contact were rated highly by all. Conversely, patients perceived incentive-based nudges poorly. Finally, participants suggested that user burden could be minimised by leveraging existing software (rather than creating a new App) and simplifying or automating the data entry requirements where feasible. Stakeholder interviews generated in-depth data on the perspectives and requirements for the proposed solution. The participatory approach will enable us to incorporate user needs into the design and improve the utility of the intervention. Our findings show that an AI-driven nudge tool is an acceptable and appropriate solution, assuming it is flexible to user requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Sumner
- Medical Affairs - Research Innovation & Enterprise, Alexandra Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Anjali Bundele
- Medical Affairs - Research Innovation & Enterprise, Alexandra Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hui Wen Lim
- Medical Affairs - Research Innovation & Enterprise, Alexandra Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Phillip Phan
- Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and the Department of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Mehul Motani
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Amartya Mukhopadhyay
- Medical Affairs - Research Innovation & Enterprise, Alexandra Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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16
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Wangler J, Jansky M. Two years of approved digital health applications in Germany - Perspectives and experiences of general practitioners with an affinity for their use. Eur J Gen Pract 2023; 29:2186396. [PMID: 36919621 PMCID: PMC10026738 DOI: 10.1080/13814788.2023.2186396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since 2020, physicians in Germany can prescribe approved digital health applications (DHAs) with the costs covered by the health system. There has so far been a lack of studies on attitudes and experiences amongst GPs in using DHAs. OBJECTIVES The aim was to elucidate the experiences and observations of GPs that have used DHAs in health care and to examine the conditions necessary for DHAs to gain a foothold in primary care according to the GPs. METHODS In 2022, 96 qualitative semi-standardised interviews were conducted with German GPs with experience in prescribing DHAs. The GPs were all organised in digitalisation-oriented physicians' associations. Fifty-four interviews were carried out in person and 42 by phone. The data were analysed according to qualitative content analysis. RESULTS Unlike health apps, the interviewees saw DHAs as reliable tools for enhancing the relationship between GPs and their patients. They saw the DHAs they had been prescribing as useful and reported various benefits, including improvements in compliance, mobility, information for patients and weight reduction. The physicians also saw room for further improvement (usability, gamification, training, information sources). Interviewees saw the inclusion of DHAs in evidence-based guidelines as a major step forward. CONCLUSION The interviewees rated DHAs favourably regarding healthcare potential and as safer and more reliable than conventional health apps. Many saw benefits to healthcare from using such applications. From the interviewees' point of view, DHAs can be integrated more effectively into patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Wangler
- Centre for General and Geriatric Medicine, University Medical Centre Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Michael Jansky
- Centre for General and Geriatric Medicine, University Medical Centre Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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17
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Brönneke JB, Herr A, Reif S, Stern AD. Dynamic HTA for digital health solutions: opportunities and challenges for patient-centered evaluation. Int J Technol Assess Health Care 2023; 39:e72. [PMID: 37973549 DOI: 10.1017/s0266462323002726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Germany's 2019 Digital Healthcare Act (Digitale-Versorgung-Gesetz, or DVG) created a number of opportunities for the digital transformation of the healthcare delivery system. Key among these was the creation of a reimbursement pathway for patient-centered digital health applications (digitale Gesundheitsanwendungen, or DiGA). Worldwide, this is the first structured pathway for "prescribable" health applications at scale. As of October 10, 2023, 49 DiGA were listed in the official directory maintained by Germany's Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM); these are prescribable by physicians and psychotherapists and reimbursed by the German statutory health insurance system for all its 73 million beneficiaries. Looking ahead, a major challenge facing DiGA manufacturers will be the generation of the evidence required for ongoing price negotiations and reimbursement. Current health technology assessment (HTA) methods will need to be adapted for DiGA. METHODS We describe the core issues that distinguish HTA in this setting: (i) explicit allowance for more flexible research designs, (ii) the nature of initial evidence generation, which can be delivered (in its final form) up to one year after becoming reimbursable, and (iii) the dynamic nature of both product development and product evaluation. We present the digital health applications in the German DiGA scheme as a case study and highlight the role of RWE in the successful evaluation of DiGA on an ongoing basis. RESULTS When a DiGA is likely to be updated and assessed regularly, full-scale RCTs are infeasible; we therefore make the case for using real-world data and real-world evidence (RWE) for dynamic HTAs. CONCLUSIONS Continous evaluation using RWD is a regulatory innovation that can help improve the quality of DiGAs on the market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan B Brönneke
- Health Innovation Hub of the German Federal Ministry of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annika Herr
- Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Simon Reif
- ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research, Mannheim, Germany
- University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Ariel D Stern
- Harvard Business School, Health Innovation Hub of the German Federal Ministry of Health, Hasso Plattner Institute, Digital Health Cluster, Harvard-MIT Center for Regulatory Science, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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18
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Mathy C, Pascal C, Bongiovanni-Delarozière I, Favez L. Proposing a health-specific organizational impact framework to evaluate organizational impacts in health technology assessments. Int J Technol Assess Health Care 2023; 39:e60. [PMID: 37818664 DOI: 10.1017/s0266462323000508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Health technology assessments (HTAs) have traditionally included clinical and cost-effectiveness evaluation of new health technologies (HTs). However, new HTs can generate important organizational impacts (OIs) that influence their overall value. OIs are currently not clearly identified and evaluated in HTA procedures and tools are limited. To address this issue, a comprehensive framework that allows to assess OIs of new HTs in HTAs is proposed. METHODS A working and methodological group identified the Oslo Manual 2018, 4th edition, OECD/Eurostat, on the objectives and outcomes of commercial innovations as the basis for the OIs framework for HTAs. The Oslo Manual was translated to the healthcare sector and adapted to HTA procedures through a three-step process. RESULTS The framework is composed of three main parts. Part I tackles the context of the evaluation, Part II the categories of impacts and the specific impacts - in total, 16 OIs were identified - and Part III the stakeholders involved. The central part of the framework is Part II, and consists of three categories of impacts: (i) on the care process, (ii) on the stakeholders' capabilities and skills, and (iii) on society or the community. CONCLUSIONS This framework provides a comprehensive and structured basis to document OIs of new HTs. It thus contributes to the extension of HTA evaluation criteria to other dimensions than clinical and economic aspects, that is, organizational aspects. Some of its intrinsic limitations and the questions they raise in the field for policy-makers, practitioners, and researchers are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caryn Mathy
- School of Engineering and Management Vaud, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Lauriane Favez
- School of Engineering and Management Vaud, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland
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19
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Pinarello C, Elmers J, Inojosa H, Beste C, Ziemssen T. Management of multiple sclerosis fatigue in the digital age: from assessment to treatment. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1231321. [PMID: 37869507 PMCID: PMC10585158 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1231321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Fatigue is one of the most disabling symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), affecting more than 80% of patients over the disease course. Nevertheless, it has a multi-faceted and complex nature, making its diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment extremely challenging in clinical practice. In the last years, digital supporting tools have emerged to support the care of people with MS. These include not only smartphone or table-based apps, but also wearable devices or novel techniques such as virtual reality. Furthermore, an additional effective and cost-efficient tool for the therapeutic management of people with fatigue is becoming increasingly available. Virtual reality and e-Health are viable and modern tools to both assess and treat fatigue, with a variety of applications and adaptability to patient needs and disability levels. Most importantly, they can be employed in the patient's home setting and can not only bridge clinic visits but also be complementary to the monitoring and treatment means for those MS patients who live far away from healthcare structures. In this narrative review, we discuss the current knowledge and future perspectives in the digital management of fatigue in MS. These may also serve as sources for research of novel digital biomarkers in the identification of disease activity and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Pinarello
- Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Julia Elmers
- Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Hernán Inojosa
- Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Beste
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Tjalf Ziemssen
- Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Srivastava D, Henschke C, Virtanen L, Lotman EM, Friebel R, Ardito V, Petracca F. Promoting the systematic use of real-world data and real-world evidence for digital health technologies across Europe: a consensus framework. HEALTH ECONOMICS, POLICY, AND LAW 2023; 18:395-410. [PMID: 37705236 DOI: 10.1017/s1744133123000208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite the acceleration in the use of digital health technologies across different aspects of the healthcare system, the full potential of real-world data (RWD) and real-world evidence (RWE) arising from the technologies is not being utilised in decision-making. We examine current national efforts and future opportunities to systematically use RWD and RWE in decision-making in five countries (Estonia, Finland, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom), and then develop a framework for promotion of the systematic use of RWD and RWE. A review assesses current national efforts, complemented with a three-round consensus-building exercise among an international group of experts (n1 = 44, n2 = 24, n3 = 24) to derive key principles. We find that Estonia and Finland have invested and developed digital health-related policies for several years; Germany and Italy are the more recent arrivals, while the United Kingdom falls somewhere in the middle. Opportunities to promote the systematic use of RWD and RWE were identified for each country. Eight building blocks principles were agreed through consensus, relating to policy scope, institutional role and data collection. Promoting post-market surveillance and digital health technology vigilance ought to rely on clarity in scope and data collection with consensus reached on eight principles to leverage RWD and RWE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Srivastava
- Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK
| | - Cornelia Henschke
- Deptartment of Health Care Management, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin Centre for Health Economics Research (BerlinHECOR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Lotta Virtanen
- Welfare State Research and Reform Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eno-Martin Lotman
- Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, North Estonia Medical Centre, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Rocco Friebel
- Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK
| | - Vittoria Ardito
- Center for Research on Health and Social Care Management (CERGAS), SDA Bocconi School of Management, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Petracca
- Center for Research on Health and Social Care Management (CERGAS), SDA Bocconi School of Management, Milano, Italy
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21
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van Eijk RPA, van den Berg LH, Roes KCB, Tian L, Lai TL, Nelson LM, Li C, Scowcroft A, Garcia-Segovia J, Lu Y. Hybrid Controlled Clinical Trials Using Concurrent Registries in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Feasibility Study. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2023; 114:883-892. [PMID: 37422655 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.2994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Hybrid designs with both randomized arms and an external control cohort preserve key features of randomization and utilize external information to augment clinical trials. In this study, we propose to leverage high-quality, patient-level concurrent registries to enhance clinical trials and illustrate the impact on trial design for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The proposed methodology was evaluated in a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. We used patient-level information from a well-defined, population-based registry, that was running parallel to the randomized clinical trial, to identify concurrently nonparticipating, eligible patients who could be matched with trial participants, and integrate them into the statistical analysis. We assessed the impact of the addition of the external controls on the treatment effect estimate, precision, and time to reach a conclusion. During the runtime of the trial, a total of 1,141 registry patients were alive; 473 (41.5%) of them fulfilled the eligibility criteria and 133 (11.7%) were enrolled in the study. A matched control population could be identified among the nonparticipating patients. Augmenting the randomized controls with matched external controls could have avoided unnecessary randomization of 17 patients (-12.8%) as well as reducing the study duration from 30.1 months to 22.6 months (-25.0%). Matching eligible external controls from a different calendar period led to bias in the treatment effect estimate. Hybrid trial designs utilizing a concurrent registry with rigorous matching can minimize bias due to a mismatch in calendar time and differences in standard of care, and may accelerate the development of new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Biomedical Data Science and Centre for Innovative Study Design, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kit C B Roes
- Section Biostatistics, Department of Health Evidence, Radboud Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Lu Tian
- Department of Biomedical Data Science and Centre for Innovative Study Design, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Tze L Lai
- Department of Biomedical Data Science and Centre for Innovative Study Design, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Lorene M Nelson
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Chenyu Li
- Department of Biomedical Data Science and Centre for Innovative Study Design, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | | | | | - Ying Lu
- Department of Biomedical Data Science and Centre for Innovative Study Design, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
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22
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Lei C, Gong R, Zhang J, Sunzi K, Xu N, Shi Q. Pain experience of lung cancer patients during home recovery after surgery: A qualitative descriptive study. Cancer Med 2023; 12:20212-20223. [PMID: 37787038 PMCID: PMC10587973 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with lung cancer surgery often suffer pain after discharge. However, there is limited evidence to describe the pain experience from the qualitative investigation. This study was designed to describe the pain experience of lung cancer patients during home recovery after surgery and to provide evidence for developing pain management strategies. METHODS This qualitative descriptive study recruited 35 patients who had received lung resection and were discharged by purposive sampling from May to July 2022. Mobile phone interviews were conducted to collect views on patients' pain experience after discharge. The interviews were audio-recorded and converted verbatim into standard text, and the data were iteratively thematic analyzed. RESULTS A thematic framework was identified for three themes: perception and impact of pain, coping styles for pain, and unmet needs for pain. Whether short or long-term after discharge, patients complain that they suffer from different degrees and types of pain, causing them a "double burden" physically and mentally. The lack of knowledge about pain may lead them to adopt very different coping styles and desire professional continuous pain management. CONCLUSIONS This study may help clarify the status of pain problems that patients face after lung cancer surgery and provides multiple dimensions of pain assessment and management objectives for quantitative research. We call on medical staff to pay attention to patients' perspectives and related needs after discharge and formulate targeted management strategies to reduce pain and improve their quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Lei
- School of Public HealthChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Ruoyan Gong
- School of Public HealthChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Jiayuan Zhang
- School of Public HealthChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Kejimu Sunzi
- Nursing DepartmentPeople's Hospital of Deyang CitySichuanChina
| | - Na Xu
- Department of Thoracic SurgerySichuan Cancer Hospital & InstituteSichuanChina
| | - Qiuling Shi
- School of Public HealthChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and EngineeringChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
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van Kessel R, Srivastava D, Kyriopoulos I, Monti G, Novillo-Ortiz D, Milman R, Zhang-Czabanowski WW, Nasi G, Stern AD, Wharton G, Mossialos E. Digital Health Reimbursement Strategies of 8 European Countries and Israel: Scoping Review and Policy Mapping. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2023; 11:e49003. [PMID: 37773610 PMCID: PMC10576236 DOI: 10.2196/49003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The adoption of digital health care within health systems is determined by various factors, including pricing and reimbursement. The reimbursement landscape for digital health in Europe remains underresearched. Although various emergency reimbursement decisions were made during the COVID-19 pandemic to enable health care delivery through videoconferencing and asynchronous care (eg, digital apps), research so far has primarily focused on the policy innovations that facilitated this outside of Europe. OBJECTIVE This study examines the digital health reimbursement strategies in 8 European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom) and Israel. METHODS We mapped available digital health reimbursement strategies using a scoping review and policy mapping framework. We reviewed the literature on the MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health, and Web of Science databases. Supplementary records were identified through Google Scholar and country experts. RESULTS Our search strategy yielded a total of 1559 records, of which 40 (2.57%) were ultimately included in this study. As of August 2023, digital health solutions are reimbursable to some extent in all studied countries except Poland, although the mechanism of reimbursement differs significantly across countries. At the time of writing, the pricing of digital health solutions was mostly determined through discussions between national or regional committees and the manufacturers of digital health solutions in the absence of value-based assessment mechanisms. Financing digital health solutions outside traditional reimbursement schemes was possible in all studied countries except Poland and typically occurs via health innovation or digital health-specific funding schemes. European countries have value-based pricing frameworks that range from nonexistent to embryonic. CONCLUSIONS Studied countries show divergent approaches to the reimbursement of digital health solutions. These differences may complicate the ability of patients to seek cross-country health care in another country, even if a digital health app is available in both countries. Furthermore, the fragmented environment will present challenges for developers of such solutions, as they look to expand their impact across countries and health systems. An increased emphasis on developing a clear conceptualization of digital health, as well as value-based pricing and reimbursement mechanisms, is needed for the sustainable integration of digital health. This study can therein serve as a basis for further, more detailed research as the field of digital health reimbursement evolves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin van Kessel
- LSE Health, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
- Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Divya Srivastava
- LSE Health, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ilias Kyriopoulos
- LSE Health, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giovanni Monti
- LSE Health, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Novillo-Ortiz
- Division of Country Health Policies and Systems, World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ran Milman
- Digital Health Division, Israeli Ministry Of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | - Greta Nasi
- Department of Social and Political Sciences, Bocconi University, Milan, Italy
| | - Ariel Dora Stern
- Harvard Business School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
- Harvard-MIT Center for Regulatory Science, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - George Wharton
- LSE Health, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elias Mossialos
- LSE Health, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Boesch M, Baty F, Rassouli F, Kowatsch T, Joerger M, Früh M, Brutsche MH. Non-pharmaceutical interventions to optimize cancer immunotherapy. Oncoimmunology 2023; 12:2255459. [PMID: 37791231 PMCID: PMC10543347 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2023.2255459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The traditional picture of cancer patients as weak individuals requiring maximum rest and protection is beginning to dissolve. Too much focus on the medical side and one's own vulnerability and mortality might be counterproductive and not doing justice to the complexity of human nature. Unlike cytotoxic and lympho-depleting treatments, immune-engaging therapies strengthen the immune system and are typically less harmful for patients. Thus, cancer patients receiving checkpoint inhibitors are not viewed as being vulnerable per se, at least not in immunological and physical terms. This perspective article advocates a holistic approach to cancer immunotherapy, with an empowered patient in the center, focusing on personal resources and receiving domain-specific support from healthcare professionals. It summarizes recent evidence on non-pharmaceutical interventions to enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade and improve quality of life. These interventions target behavioral factors such as diet, physical activity, stress management, circadian timing of checkpoint inhibitor infusion, and waiving unnecessary co-medication curtailing immunotherapy efficacy. Non-pharmaceutical interventions are universally accessible, broadly applicable, instantly actionable, scalable, and economically sustainable, creating value for all stakeholders involved. Most importantly, this holistic framework re-emphasizes the patient as a whole and harnesses the full potential of anticancer immunity and checkpoint blockade, potentially leading to survival benefits. Digital therapeutics are proposed to accompany the patients on their mission toward change in lifestyle-related behaviors for creating optimal conditions for treatment efficacy and personal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Florent Baty
- Lung Center, Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen, St.Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Frank Rassouli
- Lung Center, Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen, St.Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Kowatsch
- Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- School of Medicine, University of St.Gallen, St.Gallen, Switzerland
- Centre for Digital Health Interventions, Department of Technology, Management, and Economics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Markus Joerger
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen, St.Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Martin Früh
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen, St.Gallen, Switzerland
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Coriat R, Sibaud V, Bourgeois V, Manfredi S, Artru P, Trouilloud I, Kremliovsky M, Arvis P, Palma MD. Digital tool to identify and monitor regorafenib-associated hand-foot skin reactions: A proof-of-concept study protocol. Dig Liver Dis 2023; 55:1019-1025. [PMID: 37217373 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2023.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The FACET study is a prospective, open-label, low risk interventional clinical trial aiming at exploring the fitness-for-purpose and usability of an electronic device suite for the detection of hand-foot skin reaction symptoms in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with regorafenib. METHODS 38 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer are being selected in 6 centers in France, and will be followed for 2 regorafenib treatment cycles, or for approximately 56 days. The electronic device suite includes connected insoles and a mobile device equipped with a camera and a companion application with electronic patient-reported outcomes questionnaires and educational material. The FACET study is intended to provide information useful for the improvement of the electronic device suite and its usability before the testing of its robustness in a larger follow-up study. This paper describes the protocol of the FACET study and discusses the limitations to consider for the implementation of digital devices in real-life practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Coriat
- Cochin University Hospital, 27 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, 75014 Université Paris Cité, France.
| | - Vincent Sibaud
- Cancer University Institute, Toulouse Oncopole, 1 Av. Irène Joliot-Curie, 31100 Toulouse, France
| | - Vincent Bourgeois
- Department of Digestive Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Duchenne, Rue Jacques Monod, 62200 Boulogne Sur Mer, France
| | - Sylvain Manfredi
- Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Dijon, 2 Bd Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 21000 Dijon, France; INSERM UMR 1231, University of Burgundy, 7 Bd Jeanne d'Arc, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Pascal Artru
- Jean Mermoz Private Hospital, Ramsay Sante, 55 Av. Jean Mermoz, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Isabelle Trouilloud
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, AP-HP, 184 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Michael Kremliovsky
- Bayer Global Medical device & eHealth, 100 Bayer Blvd, Whippany, NJ 07981, USA
| | - Pierre Arvis
- Bayer Global Medical Affairs Oncology, Parc Eurasanté, 220 Av. de la Recherche, 59120 Loos, France
| | - Mario Di Palma
- Gustave Roussy, Paris Saclay University, 39 Rue Camille Desmoulins, 94800 Villejuif, Paris, France
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26
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van Kessel R, Roman-Urrestarazu A, Anderson M, Kyriopoulos I, Field S, Monti G, Reed SD, Pavlova M, Wharton G, Mossialos E. Mapping Factors That Affect the Uptake of Digital Therapeutics Within Health Systems: Scoping Review. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e48000. [PMID: 37490322 PMCID: PMC10410406 DOI: 10.2196/48000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Digital therapeutics are patient-facing digital health interventions that can significantly alter the health care landscape. Despite digital therapeutics being used to successfully treat a range of conditions, their uptake in health systems remains limited. Understanding the full spectrum of uptake factors is essential to identify ways in which policy makers and providers can facilitate the adoption of effective digital therapeutics within a health system, as well as the steps developers can take to assist in the deployment of products. OBJECTIVE In this review, we aimed to map the most frequently discussed factors that determine the integration of digital therapeutics into health systems and practical use of digital therapeutics by patients and professionals. METHODS A scoping review was conducted in MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Google Scholar. Relevant data were extracted and synthesized using a thematic analysis. RESULTS We identified 35,541 academic and 221 gray literature reports, with 244 (0.69%) included in the review, covering 35 countries. Overall, 85 factors that can impact the uptake of digital therapeutics were extracted and pooled into 5 categories: policy and system, patient characteristics, properties of digital therapeutics, characteristics of health professionals, and outcomes. The need for a regulatory framework for digital therapeutics was the most stated factor at the policy level. Demographic characteristics formed the most iterated patient-related factor, whereas digital literacy was considered the most important factor for health professionals. Among the properties of digital therapeutics, their interoperability across the broader health system was most emphasized. Finally, the ability to expand access to health care was the most frequently stated outcome measure. CONCLUSIONS The map of factors developed in this review offers a multistakeholder approach to recognizing the uptake factors of digital therapeutics in the health care pathway and provides an analytical tool for policy makers to assess their health system's readiness for digital therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin van Kessel
- LSE Health, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
- Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Andres Roman-Urrestarazu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Michael Anderson
- LSE Health, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ilias Kyriopoulos
- LSE Health, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - Samantha Field
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giovanni Monti
- LSE Health, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shelby D Reed
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Milena Pavlova
- Department of Health Services Research, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Science, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - George Wharton
- LSE Health, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elias Mossialos
- LSE Health, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Clay I, De Luca V, Sano A. Editorial: Multimodal digital approaches to personalized medicine. Front Big Data 2023; 6:1242482. [PMID: 37469442 PMCID: PMC10352833 DOI: 10.3389/fdata.2023.1242482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ieuan Clay
- Vivosense Inc., Newport Coast, CA, United States
| | - Valeria De Luca
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Akane Sano
- Department of Electrical Computer Engineering, Computer Science, and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
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28
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Rao C, Di Lascio E, Demanse D, Marshall N, Sopala M, De Luca V. Association of digital measures and self-reported fatigue: a remote observational study in healthy participants and participants with chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease. Front Digit Health 2023; 5:1099456. [PMID: 37426890 PMCID: PMC10324580 DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2023.1099456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Fatigue is a subjective, complex and multi-faceted phenomenon, commonly experienced as tiredness. However, pathological fatigue is a major debilitating symptom associated with overwhelming feelings of physical and mental exhaustion. It is a well-recognized manifestation in chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases, such as Sjögren's Syndrome and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and an important predictor of patient's health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Patient reported outcome questions are the key instruments to assess fatigue. To date, there is no consensus about reliable quantitative assessments of fatigue. Method Observational data for a period of one month were collected from 296 participants in the United States. Data comprised continuous multimodal digital data from Fitbit, including heart rate, physical activity and sleep features, and app-based daily and weekly questions covering various HRQoL factors including pain, mood, general physical activity and fatigue. Descriptive statistics and hierarchical clustering of digital data were used to describe behavioural phenotypes. Gradient boosting classifiers were trained to classify participant-reported weekly fatigue and daily tiredness from multi-sensor and other participant-reported data, and extract a set of key predictive features. Results Cluster analysis of Fitbit parameters highlighted multiple digital phenotypes, including sleep-affected, fatigued and healthy phenotypes. Features from participant-reported data and Fitbit data both contributed as key predictive features of weekly physical and mental fatigue and daily tiredness. Participant answers to pain and depressed mood-related daily questions contributed the most as top features for predicting physical and mental fatigue, respectively. To classify daily tiredness, participant answers to questions on pain, mood and ability to perform daily activities contributed the most. Features related to daily resting heart rate and step counts and bouts were overall the most important Fitbit features for the classification models. Conclusion These results demonstrate that multimodal digital data can be used to quantitatively and more frequently augment pathological and non-pathological participant-reported fatigue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaitra Rao
- Translational Medicine, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Elena Di Lascio
- Translational Medicine, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - David Demanse
- Global Drug Development, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nell Marshall
- Research and Insights, Evidation Health, Inc., San Mateo, CA, United States
| | - Monika Sopala
- Global Drug Development, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Valeria De Luca
- Translational Medicine, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
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Cho CH. The Beginning of the Era of Digital Therapeutics in Korea: Challenges and Opportunities. J Korean Med Sci 2023; 38:e166. [PMID: 37270919 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chul-Hyun Cho
- Department of Psychiatry, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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30
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King DR, Emerson MR, Tartaglia J, Nanda G, Tatro NA. Methods for Navigating the Mobile Mental Health App Landscape for Clinical Use. CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN PSYCHIATRY 2023; 10:1-15. [PMID: 37360961 PMCID: PMC10206563 DOI: 10.1007/s40501-023-00288-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
There are over 10,000 mental health and wellness apps on the market. Apps offer the opportunity to increase access to mental health care. However, with many apps to choose from and an app landscape that is largely unregulated, it can be difficult to incorporate this technology into clinical practice. The first step towards achieving this goal is to identify clinically relevant and appropriate apps. The purpose of this review is to discuss app evaluation, raise awareness of considerations involved in implementing mental health apps into clinical care, and provide an example of how apps can be used effectively in the clinical space. We discuss the current regulatory environment for health apps, how to evaluate apps, and implement them into clinical practice. We also showcase a digital clinic where apps are integrated into the clinical workflow and discuss barriers to app implementation. Mental health apps have the potential to increase access to care if they are clinically effective, easy to use, and protect patient privacy. Learning how to find, evaluate, and implement quality apps into practice is key in harnessing this technology for the benefit of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darlene R. King
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, MC 8849, Dallas, TX 75390-8849 USA
| | - Margaret R. Emerson
- College of Nursing, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985330 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5330 USA
| | - Julia Tartaglia
- Department of Psychiatry, Zucker Hillside Hospital/Northwell Health, 75-59 263rd Street, Glen Oaks, NY 11004 USA
| | - Guransh Nanda
- Southwestern Medical School, The University of Texas, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390-8830 USA
| | - Nathan A. Tatro
- Mental Health America, 500 Montgomery St., #820, Alexandria, VA 22314 USA
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Mäder M, Timpel P, Schönfelder T, Militzer-Horstmann C, Scheibe S, Heinrich R, Häckl D. Evidence requirements of permanently listed digital health applications (DiGA) and their implementation in the German DiGA directory: an analysis. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:369. [PMID: 37069592 PMCID: PMC10108444 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09287-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With its digital health application (DiGA)-system, Germany is considered one of Europe's pioneers in the field of evidence-based digital health. Incorporating DiGA into standard medical care must be based on evidence-based success factors; however, a comprehensive overview of the evidence required of scientific studies for their approval is lacking. OBJECTIVE The study aims to, (1) identify specific requirements defined by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (German: Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel- und Medizinprodukte; BfArM) to design adequate studies, proving a positive healthcare effect, and (2) to assess the evidence given for applications permanently listed in the DiGA directory. METHODS A multi-step approach was used: (1) identification of the evidence requirements for applications permanently listed in the DiGA directory, (2) identification of the evidence available supporting them. RESULTS All DiGA permanently listed in the DiGA directory (13 applications) are included in the formal analysis. Most DiGA addressed mental health (n = 7), and can be prescribed for one or two indications (n = 10). All permanently listed DiGA have demonstrated their positive healthcare effect through a medical benefit, and most of them provide evidence for one defined primary endpoint. All DiGA manufacturers conducted a randomized controlled trial. DISCUSSION It is striking that- although patient-relevant structural and procedural improvements show high potential for improving care, especially in terms of processes - all DiGA have provided a positive care effect via a medical benefit. Although BfArM accepts study designs with a lower level of evidence for the proof of a positive healthcare effect, all manufacturers conducted a study with a high level of evidence. CONCLUSION The results of this analysis indicate that permanently listed DiGA meet higher standards than required by the guideline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Mäder
- Faculty of Economics and Management Science, Leipzig University, Chair for Health Economics and Management, Leipzig, Germany.
- Scientific Institute for Health Economics and Health System Research (WIG2 GmbH), Markt 8, 04109, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Patrick Timpel
- Scientific Institute for Health Economics and Health System Research (WIG2 GmbH), Markt 8, 04109, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tonio Schönfelder
- Scientific Institute for Health Economics and Health System Research (WIG2 GmbH), Markt 8, 04109, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Health Sciences/Public Health, Dresden University, Dresden, Germany
| | - Carsta Militzer-Horstmann
- Faculty of Economics and Management Science, Leipzig University, Chair for Health Economics and Management, Leipzig, Germany
- Scientific Institute for Health Economics and Health System Research (WIG2 GmbH), Markt 8, 04109, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sandy Scheibe
- Scientific Institute for Health Economics and Health System Research (WIG2 GmbH), Markt 8, 04109, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Health Sciences/Public Health, Dresden University, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ria Heinrich
- Scientific Institute for Health Economics and Health System Research (WIG2 GmbH), Markt 8, 04109, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dennis Häckl
- Faculty of Economics and Management Science, Leipzig University, Chair for Health Economics and Management, Leipzig, Germany
- Scientific Institute for Health Economics and Health System Research (WIG2 GmbH), Markt 8, 04109, Leipzig, Germany
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Teepe GW, Glase EM, Reips UD. Increasing digitalization is associated with anxiety and depression: A Google Ngram analysis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0284091. [PMID: 37027368 PMCID: PMC10081798 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of anxiety disorders and depression are rising worldwide. Studies investigating risk factors on a societal level leading to these rises are so far limited to social-economic status, social capital, and unemployment, while most such studies rely on self-reports to investigate these factors. Therefore, our study aims to evaluate the impact of an additional factor on a societal level, namely digitalization, by using a linguistic big data approach. We extend related work by using the Google Books Ngram Viewer (Google Ngram) to retrieve and adjust word frequencies from a large corpus of books (8 million books or 6 percent of all books ever published) and to subsequently investigate word changes in terms of anxiety disorders, depression, and digitalization. Our analyses comprise and compare data from six languages, British English, German, Spanish, Russian, French, and Italian. We also retrieved word frequencies for the control construct "religion". Our results show an increase in word frequency for anxiety, depression, and digitalization over the last 50 years (r = .79 to .89, p < .001), a significant correlation between the frequency of anxiety and depression words (r = .98, p < .001), a significant correlation between the frequency of anxiety and digitalization words (r = .81, p < .001), and a significant correlation between the frequency of depression and anxiety words (r = .81, p < .001). For the control construct religion, we found no significant correlations for word frequency over the last 50 years and no significant correlation between the frequency of anxiety and depression words. Our results showed a negative correlation between the frequency of depression and religion words (r = -.25, p < .05). We also improved the method by excluding terms with double meanings detected by 73 independent native speakers. Implications for future research and professional and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisbert Wilhelm Teepe
- Department of Management, Economics and Technology, Centre for Digital Health Interventions, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Teepe GW, Kowatsch T, Hans FP, Benning L. Postmarketing Follow-Up of a Digital Home Exercise Program for Back, Hip, and Knee Pain: Retrospective Observational Study With a Time-Series and Matched-Pair Analysis. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e43775. [PMID: 36848211 PMCID: PMC10012010 DOI: 10.2196/43775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Musculoskeletal conditions are the main drivers of global disease burden and cause significant direct and indirect health care costs. Digital health applications improve the availability of and access to adequate care. The German health care system established a pathway for the approval of "Digitale Gesundheitsanwendungen" (DiGAs; Digital Health Applications) as collectively funded medical services through the "Digitale-Versorgung-Gesetz" (Digital Health Care Act) in 2019. OBJECTIVE This article presents real-world prescription data collected through the smartphone-based home exercise program "Vivira," a fully approved DiGA, regarding its effect on self-reported pain intensity and physical inability in patients with unspecific and degenerative pain in the back, hip, and knee. METHODS This study included 3629 patients (71.8% [2607/3629] female; mean age 47 years, SD 14.2 years). The primary outcome was the self-reported pain score, which was assessed with a verbal numerical rating scale. The secondary outcomes were self-reported function scores. To analyze the primary outcome, we used a 2-sided Skillings-Mack test. For function scores, a time analysis was not feasible; therefore, we calculated matched pairs using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS Our results showed significant reductions in self-reported pain intensity after 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks in the Skillings-Mack test (T3628=5308; P<.001). The changes were within the range of a clinically relevant improvement. Function scores showed a generally positive yet more variable response across the pain areas (back, hip, and knee). CONCLUSIONS This study presents postmarketing observational data from one of the first DiGAs for unspecific and degenerative musculoskeletal pain. We noted significant improvements in self-reported pain intensity throughout the observation period of 12 weeks, which reached clinical relevance. Additionally, we identified a complex response pattern of the function scores assessed. Lastly, we highlighted the challenges of relevant attrition at follow-up and the potential opportunities for evaluating digital health applications. Although our findings do not have confirmatory power, they illustrate the potential benefits of digital health applications to improve the availability of and access to medical care. TRIAL REGISTRATION German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00024051; https://drks.de/search/en/trial/DRKS00024051.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tobias Kowatsch
- Centre for Digital Health Intervention, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,School of Medicine, University of St. Gallen, St.Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Felix Patricius Hans
- University Emergency Center, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Leo Benning
- University Emergency Center, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Vivira Health Lab GmbH, Berlin, Germany
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[Digitalization in healthcare: today and in the future]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2023; 66:105-113. [PMID: 36648499 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-022-03642-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Although Germany continues to struggle with the digital transformation of healthcare, there is reason for optimism. The political will to improve healthcare with digital technologies has been underpinned by numerous legal initiatives since 2018. In addition, there is growing acceptance among healthcare providers and the population. The latter has clearly been driven by the corona pandemic, which underscored the need for more digitized care.Digitalization in healthcare has three key drivers: the rapid technological development in data processing, the ever-improving understanding of the biological basis of human life, and growing patient sovereignty coupled with a growing desire for transparency. Prerequisites for digital medicine are data interoperability and the establishment of a networking (telematics) infrastructure (TI). The status of the most important digital TI applications affecting German healthcare are described: the electronic patient record (ePA) as its core as well as electronic prescriptions, medication plans, and communication tools such as Communication in Medicine (KIM) and TI Messenger (TIM). In addition, various telemedical offerings are discussed as well as the introduction of digital health applications (DiGA) into the statutory healthcare system, which Germany has pioneered. Furthermore, the use of medical data as the basis for artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms is discussed. While helpful and capable of improving diagnostics as well as medical therapy, such AI tools will not replace doctors and nurses.
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Clay I, Peerenboom N, Connors DE, Bourke S, Keogh A, Wac K, Gur-Arie T, Baker J, Bull C, Cereatti A, Cormack F, Eggenspieler D, Foschini L, Ganea R, Groenen PM, Gusset N, Izmailova E, Kanzler CM, Leyens L, Lyden K, Mueller A, Nam J, Ng WF, Nobbs D, Orfaniotou F, Perumal TM, Piwko W, Ries A, Scotland A, Taptiklis N, Torous J, Vereijken B, Xu S, Baltzer L, Vetter T, Goldhahn J, Hoffmann SC. Reverse Engineering of Digital Measures: Inviting Patients to the Conversation. Digit Biomark 2023; 7:28-44. [PMID: 37206894 PMCID: PMC10189241 DOI: 10.1159/000530413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Digital measures offer an unparalleled opportunity to create a more holistic picture of how people who are patients behave in their real-world environments, thereby establishing a better connection between patients, caregivers, and the clinical evidence used to drive drug development and disease management. Reaching this vision will require achieving a new level of co-creation between the stakeholders who design, develop, use, and make decisions using evidence from digital measures. Summary In September 2022, the second in a series of meetings hosted by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich, the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health Biomarkers Consortium, and sponsored by Wellcome Trust, entitled "Reverse Engineering of Digital Measures," was held in Zurich, Switzerland, with a broad range of stakeholders sharing their experience across four case studies to examine how patient centricity is essential in shaping development and validation of digital evidence generation tools. Key Messages In this paper, we discuss progress and the remaining barriers to widespread use of digital measures for evidence generation in clinical development and care delivery. We also present key discussion points and takeaways in order to continue discourse and provide a basis for dissemination and outreach to the wider community and other stakeholders. The work presented here shows us a blueprint for how and why the patient voice can be thoughtfully integrated into digital measure development and that continued multistakeholder engagement is critical for further progress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Alison Keogh
- Insight Centre for Data Analytics, UC Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Mobilise-D, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Katarzyna Wac
- Quality of Life Lab, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Tova Gur-Arie
- Mobilise-D, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Christopher Bull
- Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
- IDEA-FAST, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Andrea Cereatti
- Mobilise-D, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Polytechnic University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Francesca Cormack
- IDEA-FAST, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Cambridge Cognition Ltd, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Arne Mueller
- Mobilise-D, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Novartis, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Julian Nam
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Wan-Fai Ng
- Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
- IDEA-FAST, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - David Nobbs
- IDEA-FAST, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Wojciech Piwko
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals International, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anja Ries
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alf Scotland
- Biogen Digital Health International GmbH, Baar, Switzerland
| | - Nick Taptiklis
- IDEA-FAST, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Cambridge Cognition Ltd, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Beatrix Vereijken
- Mobilise-D, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | | | | | | | - Jörg Goldhahn
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland
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Alon N, Torous J. Current challenges for evaluating mobile health applications. J Am Med Inform Assoc 2022; 30:617-624. [PMID: 36484621 PMCID: PMC9933055 DOI: 10.1093/jamia/ocac244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
As mobile health applications continue to proliferate without clear regulation, the need for app evaluation frameworks to offer guidance to patients and clinicians also expands. However, this expanding number of app evaluation frameworks itself can be a source of confusion and often contradictory recommendations. In pursuit of better frameworks that offer innovation for app evaluation, we present 4 challenges that app evaluation frameworks must overcome as well as examples from our own experience toward overcoming them. The recommendations are applicable to all health apps from any field of medicine, although we use examples from mental health as they are illustrative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noy Alon
- Division of Digital Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - John Torous
- Corresponding Author: John Torous, MD, MBI, Division of Digital Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA;
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König IR, Mittermaier M, Sina C, Raspe M, Stais P, Gamstätter T, Stachwitz P, Wolfrum S, Richter JG, Möckel M. [Evidence of positive care effects by digital health apps-methodological challenges and approaches]. INNERE MEDIZIN (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 63:1298-1306. [PMID: 36279007 DOI: 10.1007/s00108-022-01429-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Since 2020, digital health applications (DiGA) can be prescribed at the expense of the German statutory health insurance (SHI) system after undergoing an approval procedure by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). DiGA can be approved provisionally for 1 year (with the option of extension) or permanently. The latter is dependent on scientific evidence of a positive effect on care, which can be a medical benefit or a patient-relevant structural and procedural improvement in care. However, it is apparent that the investigation of DiGA in scientific studies is challenging, as they are often complex interventions whose success also includes user and prescriber factors. In addition, health services research data underpinning the benefits of DiGA are lacking to date. In the current article, methodological considerations for DiGA research are presented, and a selection of internal medicine DiGAs is used to critically discuss current research practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inke R König
- Institut für Medizinische Biometrie und Statistik, Universität zu Lübeck, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Deutschland
| | - Mirja Mittermaier
- Medizinische Klinik m.S. Infektiologie und Pneumologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Christian Sina
- Institut für Ernährungsmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Deutschland
| | - Matthias Raspe
- Medizinische Klinik m.S. Infektiologie und Pneumologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Patrick Stais
- Medizinische Klinik 3, Lungen- und Bronchialheilkunde, Lungen-Thorax-Zentrum Nordrhein, Moers, Deutschland
| | - Thomas Gamstätter
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Innere Medizin e. V., Wiesbaden, Deutschland
| | - Philipp Stachwitz
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Innere Medizin e. V., Wiesbaden, Deutschland
| | - Sebastian Wolfrum
- Interdisziplinäre Notaufnahme, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Deutschland
| | - Jutta G Richter
- Poliklinik und Funktionsbereich Rheumatologie & Hiller-Forschungszentrum Rheumatologie, Medizinische Fakultät, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
| | - Martin Möckel
- Notfall- und Akutmedizin, Zentrale Notaufnahmen und Chest Pain Units, Campus Mitte und Virchow-Klinikum, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland.
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Lantzsch H, Eckhardt H, Campione A, Busse R, Henschke C. Digital health applications and the fast-track pathway to public health coverage in Germany: challenges and opportunities based on first results. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:1182. [PMID: 36131288 PMCID: PMC9490912 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08500-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Evidence-based decision-making is the sine qua non for safe and effective patient care and the long-term functioning of health systems. Since 2020 Digital Health Applications (DiHA) in Germany have been undergoing a systematic pathway to be reimbursed by statutory health insurance (SHI) which is attracting attention in other European countries. We therefore investigate coverage decisions on DiHA and the underlying evidence on health care effects, which legally include both medical outcomes and patient-centred structural and procedural outcomes. Methods Based on publicly available data of the Institute for Medicines and Medical Devices searched between 08/2021 and 02/2022, all DiHA listed in the corresponding registry and thus reimbursable by the SHI were systematically investigated and presented descriptively on the basis of predefined criteria, such as clinical condition, and costs. The clinical trials on DiHA permanently included in the registry were reviewed with regard to their study design, endpoints investigated, the survey instruments used, and whether an intention-to-treat analysis was performed. Risk of bias was assessed using the ROB II tool. Results By February 2022, 30 DiHA had been included in the DiHA registry, one third of them permanently and two thirds conditionally. Most DiHA were therapeutic applications for mental illness based on cognitive behavioural therapy. For all permanently included DiHA, randomised controlled trials were conducted to demonstrate the impact on health care effects. While medical outcomes were investigated for all of these DiHA, patient-centred structural and procedural outcomes were rarely investigated. The majority of clinical trials showed a high risk of bias, mainly due to insufficient reporting quality. Overall, the prices for DiHA covered by SHI are on average around € 150 per month (min. € 40; max. € 248). Conclusions Evidence-based decision-making on coverage of DiHA leaves room for improvements both in terms of reporting-quality and the use of patient-centred structural and procedural outcomes in addition to medical outcomes. With appropriate evidence, DiHA can offer an opportunity as an adjunct to existing therapy while currently the high risk of bias of the trials raises doubts about the justification of its high costs. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-022-08500-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrikje Lantzsch
- Department of Health Care Management, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Helene Eckhardt
- Department of Health Care Management, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alessandro Campione
- Department of Health Care Management, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Reinhard Busse
- Department of Health Care Management, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany.,Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin Centre of Health Economics Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Cornelia Henschke
- Department of Health Care Management, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany.,Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin Centre of Health Economics Research, Berlin, Germany
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Torous J, Stern AD, Bourgeois FT. Regulatory considerations to keep pace with innovation in digital health products. NPJ Digit Med 2022; 5:121. [PMID: 35986056 PMCID: PMC9390099 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-022-00668-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapid innovation and proliferation of software as a medical device have accelerated the clinical use of digital technologies across a wide array of medical conditions. Current regulatory pathways were developed for traditional (hardware) medical devices and offer a useful structure, but the evolution of digital devices requires concomitant innovation in regulatory approaches to maximize the potential benefits of these emerging technologies. A number of specific adaptations could strengthen current regulatory oversight while promoting ongoing innovation.
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Schirmann F, Kanehl P, Jones L. What Intervention Elements Drive Weight Loss in Blended-Care Behavior Change Interventions? A Real-World Data Analysis with 25,706 Patients. Nutrients 2022; 14:2999. [PMID: 35889956 PMCID: PMC9323476 DOI: 10.3390/nu14142999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blended-care behavior change interventions (BBCI) are a combination of digital care and coaching by health care professionals (HCP), which are proven effective for weight loss. However, it remains unclear what specific elements of BBCI drive weight loss. OBJECTIVES This study aims to identify the distinct impact of HCP-elements (coaching) and digital elements (self-monitoring, self-management, and education) for weight loss in BBCI. METHODS Long-term data from 25,706 patients treated at a digital behavior change provider were analyzed retrospectively using a ridge regression model to predict weight loss at 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS Overall relative weight loss was -1.63 kg at 1 month, -3.61 kg at 3 months, -5.28 kg at 6 months, and -6.55 kg at 12 months. The four factors of BBCI analyzed here (coaching, self-monitoring, self-management, and education) predict weight loss with varying accuracy and degree. Coaching, self-monitoring, and self-management are positively correlated with weight losses at 3 and 6 months. Learn time (i.e., self-guided education) is clearly associated with a higher degree of weight loss. Number of appointments outside of app coaching with a dietitian (coach) was negatively associated with weight loss. CONCLUSIONS The results testify to the efficacy of BBCI for weight loss-with particular positive associations per time point-and add to a growing body of research that characterizes the distinct impact of intervention elements in real-world settings, aiming to inform the design of future interventions for weight management.
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Sarri G. Can Real-World Evidence Help Restore Decades of Health Inequalities by Informing Health Care Decision-Making? Certainly, and Here is How. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:905820. [PMID: 35784688 PMCID: PMC9241066 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.905820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Grammati Sarri
- Head of RWAA External Research Partnerships/Senior Research Principal, Cytel Inc., London, United Kingdom
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