Patient perspectives on the acceptability of mHealth technology for remote measurement and management of epilepsy: A qualitative analysis

BACKGROUND

Innovative uses of mobile health (mHealth) technology for real-time measurement and management of epilepsy may improve the care provided to patients. For instance, seizure detection and quantifying related problems will have an impact on quality of life and improve clinical management for people experiencing frequent and uncontrolled seizures. Engaging patients with mHealth technology is essential, but little is known about patient perspectives on their acceptability. The aim of this study was to conduct an in-depth qualitative analysis of what people with uncontrolled epilepsy think could be the potential uses of mHealth technology and to identify early potential barriers and facilitators to engagement in three European countries.

METHOD

Twenty people currently experiencing epileptic seizures took part in five focus groups held across the UK, Italy, and Spain. Participants all completed written consent and a demographic questionnaire prior to the focus group commencing, and each group discussion lasted 60-120 min. A coding frame, developed from a systematic review of the previous literature, was used to structure a thematic analysis. We extracted themes and subthemes from the discussions, focusing first on possible uses of mHealth and then the barriers and facilitators to engagement.

RESULTS

Participants were interested in mHealth technology as a clinical detection tool, e.g., to aid communication about seizure occurrence with their doctors. Other suggested uses included being able to predict or prevent seizures, and to improve self-management. Key facilitators to engagement were the ability to raise awareness, plan activities better, and improve safety. Key barriers were the potential for increased stigma and anxiety. Using familiar and customizable products could be important moderators of engagement.

CONCLUSION

People with uncontrolled epilepsy think that there is a scope for mHealth technology to be useful in healthcare as a detection or prediction tool. The costs will be compared with the benefits when it comes to engagement, and ongoing work with patients and other stakeholders is needed to design practical resources.

Barriers to and Facilitators of Engagement With mHealth Technology for Remote Measurement and Management of Depression: Qualitative Analysis

BACKGROUND

Mobile technology has the potential to provide accurate, impactful data on the symptoms of depression, which could improve health management or assist in early detection of relapse. However, for this potential to be achieved, it is essential that patients engage with the technology. Although many barriers to and facilitators of the use of this technology are common across therapeutic areas and technology types, many may be specific to cultural and health contexts.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the potential barriers to and facilitators of engagement with mobile health (mHealth) technology for remote measurement and management of depression across three Western European countries.

METHODS

Participants (N=25; 4:1 ratio of women to men; age range, 25-73 years) who experienced depression participated in five focus groups held in three countries (two in the United Kingdom, two in Spain, and one in Italy). The focus groups investigated the potential barriers to and facilitators of the use of mHealth technology. A systematic thematic analysis was used to extract themes and subthemes.

RESULTS

Facilitators and barriers were categorized as health-related factors, user-related factors, and technology-related factors. A total of 58 subthemes of specific barriers and facilitators or moderators emerged. A core group of themes including motivation, potential impact on mood and anxiety, aspects of inconvenience, and ease of use was noted across all countries.

CONCLUSIONS

Similarities in the barriers to and facilitators of the use of mHealth technology have been observed across Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom. These themes provide guidance on ways to promote the design of feasible and acceptable cross-cultural mHealth tools.