| Autor: |
Zöllner JP; Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Frankfurt-Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.; LOEWE Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany., Noda AH; Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Frankfurt-Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.; LOEWE Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany., McCoy J; Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Frankfurt-Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.; LOEWE Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany., Schulz J; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany., Tsalouchidou PE; Epilepsy Center Hessen, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Marburg-Philipps-University, Marburg (Lahn), Germany., Langenbruch L; Epilepsy Center Münster-Osnabrück, Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster-Westfälische Wilhelms-University, Münster, Germany.; Department of Neurology, Osnabrück Hospital, Osnabrück, Germany., Kovac S; Epilepsy Center Münster-Osnabrück, Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster-Westfälische Wilhelms-University, Münster, Germany., Knake S; Epilepsy Center Hessen, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Marburg-Philipps-University, Marburg (Lahn), Germany., von Podewils F; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany., Hamacher M; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany., Mann C; Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Frankfurt-Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.; LOEWE Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany., Leyer AC; Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Frankfurt-Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.; LOEWE Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.; Department of Pediatrics and Neuropediatrics, University Hospital Frankfurt-Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany., van Alphen N; Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Frankfurt-Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.; LOEWE Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany., Schubert-Bast S; Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Frankfurt-Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.; LOEWE Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.; Department of Pediatrics and Neuropediatrics, University Hospital Frankfurt-Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany., Rosenow F; Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Frankfurt-Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.; LOEWE Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany., Strzelczyk A; Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Frankfurt-Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.; LOEWE Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. |
| Abstrakt: |
Background: Telehealth can improve the treatment of chronic disorders, such as epilepsy. Telehealth prevalence and use increased during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, familiarity with and use of telehealth and health-related mobile applications (apps) by persons with epilepsy remain unknown. Methods: We investigated telehealth use, demographics, and clinical variables within the multicenter Epi2020 cross-sectional study. Between October and December 2020, adults with epilepsy completed a validated questionnaire, including individual questions regarding knowledge and use of apps and telehealth. Results: Of 476 included individuals (58.2% women; mean age 40.2 ± 15.4 years), 41.6% reported using health-related apps. Health apps were used more frequently (pedometer 32.1%, exercise app 17.6%) than medical apps (health insurance 15.1%, menstrual apps 12.2%) or apps designed for epilepsy (medication reminders 10.3%, seizure calendars 4.6%). Few used seizure detectors (i.e., apps as medical devices 1.9%) or mobile health devices (fitness bracelet 11.3%). A majority (60.9%) had heard the term telehealth, 78.6% of whom had a positive view. However, only 28.6% had a concrete idea of telehealth, and only 16.6% reported personal experience with telehealth. A majority (55%) would attend a teleconsultation follow-up, and 41.2% would in a medical emergency. Data privacy and availability were considered equally important by 50.8%, 21.8% considered data privacy more important, and 20.2% considered data availability more important. Current health-related app use was independently associated with younger age ( p = 0.003), higher education ( p < 0.001), and subjective COVID-19-related challenges ( p = 0.002). Persistent seizure occurrence (vs. seizure freedom ≥12 months) did not affect willingness to use teleconsultations on multivariable logistic regression analysis. Conclusions: Despite positive telehealth views, few persons with epilepsy in Germany are familiar with specific apps or services. Socioeconomic factors influence telehealth use more than baseline epilepsy characteristics. Telehealth education and services should target socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals to reduce the digital care gap. German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00022024; Universal Trial Number: U1111-1252-5331). |
