Background: The risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) is increased by unnecessary placement and prolonged use of urinary catheters. Aim: To assess whether inappropriate use of catheters and... Show moreBackground: The risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) is increased by unnecessary placement and prolonged use of urinary catheters. Aim: To assess whether inappropriate use of catheters and catheter-associated UTI were reduced through patient participation. Methods: In this multicentre, interrupted time-series and before-and-after study, we implemented a patient-centred app which provides catheter advice for patients, together with clinical lessons, feedback via e-mails and support rounds for staff members. Data on catheter use and infections were collected during a six-month baseline and a six-month intervention period on 13 wards in four hospitals in the Netherlands. Dutch Trial Register: NL7178. Findings: Between June 25th, 2018 and August 1st, 2019, 6556 patients were included in 24 point-prevalence surveys, 3285 (50%) at baseline and 3271 (50%) during the intervention. During the intervention 249 app users and a median of seven new app users per week were registered (interquartile range: 5.5e13.0). At baseline, inappropriate catheter use was registered for 175 (21.9%) out of 798 catheters, compared to 55 (7.0%) out of 786 during the intervention. Time-series analysis showed a non-significant decrease of inappropriate use of 5.8% (95% confidence interval: e3.76 to 15.45; P ¼ 0.219), with an odds ratio of 0.27 (0.19e0.37; P < 0.001). Catheter-associated UTI decreased by 3.0% (1.3e4.6; P ¼ 0.001), with odds ratio 0.541 (0.408e0.716; P < 0.001). Show less
Background: Digital triage tools for sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing can potentially be used as a substitute for the triage that general practitioners (GPs) perform to lower their work... Show moreBackground: Digital triage tools for sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing can potentially be used as a substitute for the triage that general practitioners (GPs) perform to lower their work pressure. The studied tool is based on medical guidelines. The same guidelines support GPs' decision-making process. However, research has shown that GPs make decisions from a holistic perspective and, therefore, do not always adhere to those guidelines. To have a high-quality digital triage tool that results in an efficient care process, it is important to learn more about GPs' decision-making process. Objective: The first objective was to identify whether the advice of the studied digital triage tool aligned with GPs' daily medical practice. The second objective was to learn which factors influence GPs' decisions regarding referral for diagnostic testing. In addition, this study provides insights into GPs' decision-making process. Methods: A qualitative vignette-based study using semistructured interviews was conducted. In total, 6 vignettes representing patient cases were discussed with the participants (GPs). The participants needed to think aloud whether they would advise an STI test for the patient and why. A thematic analysis was conducted on the transcripts of the interviews. The vignette patient cases were also passed through the digital triage tool, resulting in advice to test or not for an STI. A comparison was made between the advice of the tool and that of the participants. Results: In total, 10 interviews were conducted. Participants (GPs) had a mean age of 48.30 (SD 11.88) years. For 3 vignettes, the advice of the digital triage tool and of all participants was the same. In those vignettes, the patients' risk factors were sufficiently clear for the participants to advise the same as the digital tool. For 3 vignettes, the advice of the digital tool differed from that of the participants. Patient-related factors that influenced the participants' decision-making process were the patient's anxiety, young age, and willingness to be tested. Participants would test at a lower threshold than the triage tool because of those factors. Sometimes, participants wanted more information than was provided in the vignette or would like to conduct a physical examination. These elements were not part of the digital triage tool. Conclusions: The advice to conduct a diagnostic STI test differed between a digital triage tool and GPs. The digital triage tool considered only medical guidelines, whereas GPs were open to discussion reasoning from a holistic perspective. The GPs' decision-making process was influenced by patients' anxiety, willingness to be tested, and age. On the basis of these results, we believe that the digital triage tool for STI testing could support GPs and even replace consultations in the future. Further research must substantiate how this can be done safely. Show less
Berg, L.N. van den; Hallensleben, C.; Vlug, L.A.E.; Chavannes, N.H.; Versluis, A. 2024
Background: Approximately 262 million people worldwide are affected by asthma, and the overuse of reliever medication—specifically, short-acting beta2-agonist (SABA) overuse—is common. This can... Show moreBackground: Approximately 262 million people worldwide are affected by asthma, and the overuse of reliever medication—specifically, short-acting beta2-agonist (SABA) overuse—is common. This can lead to adverse health effects. A smartphone app, the Asthma app, was developed via a participatory design to help patients gain more insight into their SABA use through monitoring and psychoeducation. Objective: This pilot study aims to evaluate the feasibility and usability of the app. The preliminary effects of using the app after 3 months on decreasing asthma symptoms and improving quality of life were examined. Methods: A mixed methods study design was used. Quantitative data were collected using the app. Asthma symptoms (measured using the Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test) and the triggers of these symptoms were collected weekly. Quality of life (36-Item Short-Form Health Survey) was assessed at baseline and after 3, 6, and 12 months. User experience (System Usability Scale) was measured at all time points, except for baseline. Furthermore, objective user data were collected, and qualitative interviews, focusing on feasibility and usability, were organized. The interview protocol was based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology framework. Qualitative data were analyzed using the Framework Method. Results: The baseline questionnaire was completed by 373 participants. The majority were female (309/373, 82.8%), with a mean age of 46 (SD 15) years, and used, on average, 10 SABA inhalations per week. App usability was rated as good: 82.3 (SD 13.2; N=44) at 3 months. The Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test score significantly improved at 3 months (18.5) compared with baseline (14.8; β=.189; SE 0.048; P<.001); however, the obtained score still indicated uncontrolled asthma. At 3 months, there was no significant difference in the quality of life. Owing to the high dropout rate, insufficient data were collected at 6 and 12 months and were, therefore, not further examined. User data showed that 335 users opened the app (250/335, 74.6%, were returning visitors), with an average session time of 1 minute, and SABA registration was most often used (7506/13,081, 57.38%). Qualitative data (from a total of 4 participants; n=2, 50% female) showed that the participants found the app acceptable and clear. Three participants stated that gaining insight into asthma and its triggers was helpful. Two participants no longer used the app because they perceived their asthma as controlled and, therefore, did not use SABA often or only used it regularly based on the advice of the pulmonologist. Conclusions: The initial findings regarding the app’s feasibility and usability are encouraging. However, the notable dropout rate underscores the need for a cautious interpretation of the results. Subsequent studies, particularly those focusing on implementation, should explore the potential integration of the app into standard treatment practices. Show less
Willemsen, R.F.; Aardoom, J.J.; Galiën, O.P. van der; Vijver, S. van de; Chavannes, N.H.; Versluis, A. 2023
IntroductionThe pressure on general practitioners (GPs) is rising due to the increasing demand for care and a decreasing availability of GPs. eHealth is seen as one of the solutions to enhance... Show moreIntroductionThe pressure on general practitioners (GPs) is rising due to the increasing demand for care and a decreasing availability of GPs. eHealth is seen as one of the solutions to enhance accessibility and reduce workload. A platform supporting the organization and communication in general practice has been developed offering services, such as econsultations. This study aims to evaluate healthcare usage and costs of patients using this platform by comparing these outcomes (1) before and after implementation and (2) an intervention with a matched control group.Material and methodsThis study is a retrospective observational cohort study. To evaluate the longitudinal impact of the implementation on healthcare usage, mixed model Poisson analyses were used with time as a factor term for the within-subject analysis and exposure to the platform as a factor term and an interaction term (i.e., exposure X 6-months) in the between-subject analysis. Cost analyses were done with mixed model analyses of variance over time.ResultsThe total number of GP consultations significantly increased after compared to before implementation (i.e., Rate = 1.52; p < 0.001). The number of GP consultations was higher in the intervention compared to the control group (respectively, Rate = 1.23; p = 0.035). Healthcare costs increased for GP consultations after compared to before implementation (€13,57; p < 0.001). The costs for GP consults were significantly higher in the intervention compared to the control group (€7,06; p 0.018).ConclusionThis study showed a rise in GP consultations and costs when implementing a digital platform. This increase was presumably and partly caused by circumstances in one of the two included practices. Moreover, creating new options for contacting and communicating with the GP can enhance care accessibility and thereby driving an increase in consultations. This digital platform is a promising working method in general practice to facilitate patients and provide GPs with more flexibility Show less
Hei, S.J. van de; Kim, C.H.; Honkoop, P.J.; Sont, J.K.; Schermer, T.R.J.; MacHale, E.; ... ; J.F.M. van boven 2023
BACKGROUND: Digital inhalers can monitor inhaler usage, support difficult-to-treat asthma management, and inform step-up treatment decisions yet their economic value is unknown, hampering wide... Show moreBACKGROUND: Digital inhalers can monitor inhaler usage, support difficult-to-treat asthma management, and inform step-up treatment decisions yet their economic value is unknown, hampering wide-scale implementation.OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the long-term cost-effective-ness of digital inhalerebased medication adherence management in difficult-to-treat asthma.METHODS: A model-based cost-utility analysis was performed. The Markov model structure was determined by biological and clinical understanding of asthma and was further informed by guideline-based assessment of model development. Internal and external validation was performed using the Assessment of the Validation Status of Health-Economic (AdViSHE) tool. The INCA (Inhaler Compliance Assessment) Sun randomized clinical trial data were incorporated into the model to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of digital inhalers. Several long-term clin-ical case scenarios were assessed (reduced number of exacer-bations, increased asthma control, introduction of biosimilars [25% price-cut on biologics]). RESULTS: The long-term modelled cost-effectiveness based on a societal perspective indicated 1-year per-patient costs for digital inhalers and usual care (ie, regular inhalers) of euro7,546 ($7,946) and euro10,752 ($11,322), respectively, reflecting cost savings of euro3,207 ($3,377) for digital inhalers. Using a 10-year interven-tion duration and time horizon resulted in cost savings of euro26,309 ($27,703) for digital inhalers. In the first year, add-on biologic therapies accounted for 69% of the total costs in the usual care group and for 49% in the digital inhaler group. Scenario analyses indicated consistent cost savings ranging from euro2,287 ($2,408) (introduction biosimilars) to euro4,581 ($4,824) (increased control, decreased exacerbations). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with difficult-to-treat asthma, digital inhaler -based interventions can be cost-saving in the long-term by optimizing medication adherence and inhaler technique and reducing add-on biologic prescriptions.(c) 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Show less
Tailored motivational messages are helpful to motivate people in eHealth applications for increasing physical activity, but it is not sufficiently clear how such messages can be effectively... Show moreTailored motivational messages are helpful to motivate people in eHealth applications for increasing physical activity, but it is not sufficiently clear how such messages can be effectively generated in advance. We, therefore, put forward a theory-driven approach to generating tailored motivational messages for eHealth applications for behavior change, and we examine its feasibility by assessing how motivating the resulting messages are perceived. For this, we designed motivational messages with a specific structure that was based on an adaptation of an existing ontology for tailoring motivational messages in the context of physical activity. To obtain tailored messages, experts in health psychology and coaching successfully wrote messages with this structure for personas in scenarios that differed with regard to the persona's mood, self-efficacy, and progress. Based on an experiment in which 60 participants each rated the perceived motivational impact of six generic and six tailored messages based on scenarios, we found credible support for our hypothesis that messages tailored to mood, self-efficacy, and progress are perceived as more motivating. A thematic analysis of people's free-text responses about what they found motivating and demotivating about motivational messages further supports the use of tailored messages, as well as messages that are encouraging and empathetic, give feedback about people's progress, and mention the benefits of physical activity. To aid future work on motivational messages, we make our motivational messages and corresponding scenarios publicly available. Show less
Aims Lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and blood pressure (BP) levels to guideline recommended values reduces the risk of major adverse cardiac events in patients who underwent coronary... Show moreAims Lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and blood pressure (BP) levels to guideline recommended values reduces the risk of major adverse cardiac events in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). To improve cardiovascular risk management, this study evaluated the effects of mobile health (mHealth) on BP and cholesterol levels in patients after standalone CABG.Methods and results This study is a post hoc analysis of an observational cohort study among 228 adult patients who underwent standalone CABG surgery at a tertiary care hospital in The Netherlands. A total of 117 patients received standard care, and 111 patients underwent an mHealth intervention. This consisted of frequent BP and weight monitoring with regimen adjustment in case of high BP. Primary outcome was difference in systolic BP and LDL-C between baseline and value after three months of follow-up. Mean age in the intervention group was 62.7 years, 98 (88.3%) patients were male. A total of 26 449 mHealth measurements were recorded. At three months, systolic BP decreased by 7.0 mmHg [standard deviation (SD): 15.1] in the intervention group vs. -0.3 mmHg (SD: 17.6; P < 0.00001) in controls; body weight decreased by 1.76 kg (SD: 3.23) in the intervention group vs. -0.31 kg (SD: 2.55; P = 0.002) in controls. Serum LDL-C was significantly lower in the intervention group vs. controls (median: 1.8 vs. 2.0 mmol/L; P = 0.0002).Conclusion This study showed an association between home monitoring after CABG and a reduction in systolic BP, body weight, and serum LDL-C. The causality of the association between the observed weight loss and decreased LDL-C in intervention group patients remains to be investigated. Show less
ObjectiveTo optimize treatment recommendations for eating disorders, it is important to investigate whether some individuals may benefit more (or less) from certain treatments. The current study... Show moreObjectiveTo optimize treatment recommendations for eating disorders, it is important to investigate whether some individuals may benefit more (or less) from certain treatments. The current study explored predictors and moderators of an automated online self-help intervention “Featback” and online support from a recovered expert patient.MethodsData were used from a randomized controlled trial. For a period of 8 weeks, participants aged 16 or older with at least mild eating disorder symptoms were randomized to four conditions: (1) Featback, (2) chat or e-mail support from an expert patient, (3) Featback with expert-patient support, and (4) a waitlist. A mixed-effects partitioning method was used to see if age, educational level, BMI, motivation to change, treatment history, duration of eating disorder, number of binge eating episodes in the past month, eating disorder pathology, self-efficacy, anxiety and depression, social support, or self-esteem predicted or moderated intervention outcomes in terms of eating disorder symptoms (primary outcome), and symptoms of anxiety and depression (secondary outcome).ResultsHigher baseline social support predicted less eating disorder symptoms 8 weeks later, regardless of condition. No variables emerged as moderator for eating disorder symptoms. Participants in the three active conditions who had not received previous eating disorder treatment, experienced larger reductions in anxiety and depression symptoms.DiscussionThe investigated online low-threshold interventions were especially beneficial for treatment-naïve individuals, but only in terms of secondary outcomes, making them well-suited for early intervention. The study results also highlight the importance of a supportive environment for individuals with eating disorder symptoms.Public SignificanceTo optimize treatment recommendations it is important to investigate what works for whom. For an internet-based intervention for eating disorders developed in the Netherlands, individuals who had never received eating disorder treatment seemed to benefit more from the intervention than those who had received eating disorder treatment, because they experienced larger reductions in symptoms of depression and anxiety. Stronger feelings of social support were related to less eating disorder symptoms in the future. Show less
Cardol, C.K.; Middendorp, H. van; Dusseldorp, E.; Boog, P.J.M. van der; Hilbrands, L.B.; Navis, G.; ... ; E GOAL Study Grp 2023
Objective: Psychological distress is common among patients with chronic kidney disease and can interfere with disease self-management. We assessed the effectiveness of the personalized E-GOAL... Show moreObjective: Psychological distress is common among patients with chronic kidney disease and can interfere with disease self-management. We assessed the effectiveness of the personalized E-GOAL electronic health care pathway with screening and cognitive-behavioral therapy including self-management support, aimed to treat psychological distress and facilitate self-management among people with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis (N = 121). Methods: Primary outcome of the open two-arm parallel randomized controlled trial in four Dutch hospitals was psychological distress at posttest directly after the intervention and at 3-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes were physical and mental health-related quality of life, self-efficacy, chronic disease self-management, and personalized outcomes, that is, perceived progress compared with the previous time point on functioning (e.g., mood or social functioning) and self-management (e.g., dietary or medication adherence) outcomes that were prioritized by each individual. Results: Linear mixed-effects analyses showed no significant time-by-group interaction effects for psychological distress, health-related quality of life, self-efficacy, and chronic condition self-management, whereas analyses of covariance showed significantly more perceived progress in the intervention group at posttest on personally prioritized areas of functioning (b = 0.46, 95% confidence interval = 0.07-0.85) and self-management (b = 0.55, 95% confidence interval = 0.16-0.95), with Cohen d values of 0.46 and 0.54 (medium effects), respectively. Effects on personalized outcomes were maintained at follow-up. Conclusions: Compared with regular care only, the electronic health intervention did not reduce psychological distress, whereas personalized outcomes did improve significantly after intervention. Future studies could consider personalized outcomes that reflect individually relevant areas and treatment goals, matching person-tailored treatments. Show less
Background: The economic costs of mental disorders for society are huge. Internet-based interventions are often coined as cost-effective alternatives to usual care, but the evidence is mixed... Show moreBackground: The economic costs of mental disorders for society are huge. Internet-based interventions are often coined as cost-effective alternatives to usual care, but the evidence is mixed.Objective: The aim was to review the literature on the cost-effectiveness of internet interventions for mental disorders compared with usual care and to provide an estimate of the monetary benefits of such interventions compared with usual care.Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was conducted, which included participants with symptoms of mental disorders; investigated a telephone- or internet-based intervention; included a control condition in the form of treatment as usual, psychological placebo, waiting list control, or bibliotherapy; reported outcomes on both quality of life and costs; and included articles published in English. Electronic databases such as PubMed (including MEDLINE), Embase, Emcare, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were used. Data on risk of bias, quality of the economic evaluation, quality-adjusted life years, and costs were extracted from the included studies, and the incremental net benefit was calculated and pooled.Results: The search yielded 6226 abstracts, and 37 studies with 14,946 participants were included. The quality of economic evaluations of the included studies was rated as moderate, and the risk of bias was high. A random-effects approach was maintained. Analyses suggested internet interventions were slightly more effective than usual care in terms of quality-adjusted life years gain (Hedges g=0.052, 95% CI 0.010-0.094; P=.02) and equally expensive (Hedges g=0.002, 95% CI −0.080 to 0.84; P=.96). The pooled incremental net benefit was US $255 (95% CI US $91 to US $419; P=.002), favoring internet interventions over usual care. The perspective of the economic evaluation and targeted mental disorder moderated the results.Conclusions: The findings indicate that the cost-effectiveness of internet interventions for mental disorders compared with a care-as-usual approach is likely, but generalizability to new studies is poor given the substantial heterogeneity. This is the first study in the field of mental health to pool cost-effectiveness outcomes in an aggregate data meta-analysis. Show less
Willemsen, R.F.; Meijer, E.; Berg, L.N. van den; Burg, L. van der; Chavannes, N.H.; Aardoom, J.J. 2023
Background: eHealth has the potential to improve health outcomes. However, this potential is largely untapped. Individuals face an overload of apps and have difficulties choosing suitable apps for... Show moreBackground: eHealth has the potential to improve health outcomes. However, this potential is largely untapped. Individuals face an overload of apps and have difficulties choosing suitable apps for themselves. In the FitKnip experiment, individuals were given access to a health app platform, where they could purchase reliable preselected health apps with a personal budget of euro100 (US $107.35). By conducting a prospective study, we aimed to scientifically evaluate the FitKnip experiment as an innovative way to improve population health.Objective: The aim of the experiment was to scientifically evaluate the FitKnip experiment as an innovative way to improve population health. More specifically, we conducted an in-depth qualitative evaluation of the concept and acceptability of FitKnip, its perceived impact on health empowerment, as well as the roles of stakeholders for the future implementation of a health app platform through focus group interviews.Methods: This study followed a phenomenological research design and included 7 focus group interviews with end users and 1 with stakeholders, held between July and December 2020. End users were recruited through various institutions in the Netherlands, for example, insurance companies and local governments. All focus groups were semistructured using interview guides and were held via videoconferencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic measures. Each participant received access to a health app platform where they were enabled to purchase reliable, preselected health apps with a budget of euro100 (US $107.35). The budget was valid for the entire research period. The health app platform offered 38 apps. A third party, a health care coalition, selected the apps to be included in FitKnip. The analyses were conducted according to the principles of the Framework Method.Results: A priori formulated themes were concept, acceptability, health empowerment, and outcomes, and the roles of stakeholders for the future implementation of a health app platform. Both end users (n=31) and stakeholders (n=5) were enthusiastic about the concept of a health app platform. End users indicated missing apps regarding physical health and lifestyle and needing more guidance toward suitable apps. End users saw health empowerment as a precondition to using a health app platform and achieving health outcomes depending on the purchased mobile apps. End users and stakeholders identified potential providers and financing parties of FitKnip. Stakeholders recommended the establishment of a reputable national or international quality guidelines or certification for health and wellbeing apps, that can demonstrate the quality and reliability of mobile health applications.Conclusions: This study showed the need for a personalized and flexible platform. Next to this, a deeper understanding of the roles of stakeholders in such initiatives is needed especially on financing and reimbursement of health promotion and digital health services. A personalized, flexible health app platform is a promising initiative to support individuals in their health. Show less
Willemsen, R.F.; Meijer, E.; Berg, L.N. van den; Burg, L. van der; Chavannes, N.H.; Aardoom, J.J. 2023
Background: eHealth has the potential to improve health outcomes. However, this potential is largely untapped. Individuals face an overload of apps and have difficulties choosing suitable apps for... Show moreBackground: eHealth has the potential to improve health outcomes. However, this potential is largely untapped. Individuals face an overload of apps and have difficulties choosing suitable apps for themselves. In the FitKnip experiment, individuals were given access to a health app platform, where they could purchase reliable preselected health apps with a personal budget of euro100 (US $107.35). By conducting a prospective study, we aimed to scientifically evaluate the FitKnip experiment as an innovative way to improve population health.Objective: The aim of the experiment was to scientifically evaluate the FitKnip experiment as an innovative way to improve population health. More specifically, we conducted an in-depth qualitative evaluation of the concept and acceptability of FitKnip, its perceived impact on health empowerment, as well as the roles of stakeholders for the future implementation of a health app platform through focus group interviews.Methods: This study followed a phenomenological research design and included 7 focus group interviews with end users and 1 with stakeholders, held between July and December 2020. End users were recruited through various institutions in the Netherlands, for example, insurance companies and local governments. All focus groups were semistructured using interview guides and were held via videoconferencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic measures. Each participant received access to a health app platform where they were enabled to purchase reliable, preselected health apps with a budget of euro100 (US $107.35). The budget was valid for the entire research period. The health app platform offered 38 apps. A third party, a health care coalition, selected the apps to be included in FitKnip. The analyses were conducted according to the principles of the Framework Method.Results: A priori formulated themes were concept, acceptability, health empowerment, and outcomes, and the roles of stakeholders for the future implementation of a health app platform. Both end users (n=31) and stakeholders (n=5) were enthusiastic about the concept of a health app platform. End users indicated missing apps regarding physical health and lifestyle and needing more guidance toward suitable apps. End users saw health empowerment as a precondition to using a health app platform and achieving health outcomes depending on the purchased mobile apps. End users and stakeholders identified potential providers and financing parties of FitKnip. Stakeholders recommended the establishment of a reputable national or international quality guidelines or certification for health and wellbeing apps, that can demonstrate the quality and reliability of mobile health applications.Conclusions: This study showed the need for a personalized and flexible platform. Next to this, a deeper understanding of the roles of stakeholders in such initiatives is needed especially on financing and reimbursement of health promotion and digital health services. A personalized, flexible health app platform is a promising initiative to support individuals in their health. Show less
Weinberg, V.; Haren, E. van; Gombert-Handoko, K.B. 2023
Background: eConsults are increasingly used worldwide to reduce specialist referrals and increase access to medical care. An additional benefit of using an eConsult tool is a reduction of health... Show moreBackground: eConsults are increasingly used worldwide to reduce specialist referrals and increase access to medical care. An additional benefit of using an eConsult tool is a reduction of health care costs while improving the quality of health care and patient participation. Currently, shared decision making is increasingly implemented and preferred by patients. eConsults are also a promising tool to improve access to the hospital pharmacist. Patients often have questions about their medication. When medication is started during a hospital admission or outpatient visit, community pharmacists are not always sufficiently informed to answer patient questions. Direct contact with hospital pharmacists may be more appropriate and efficient. This contact is facilitated through the eConsult feature in the hospital's patient portal. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and contents of the eConsults sent by patients to hospital pharmacists.Methods: A first retrospective descriptive study was conducted at the Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands. Patients who sent at least one eConsult to a hospital pharmacist between March 2017 and December 2021 were included. Patient characteristics and the number of medications taken were extracted from electronic health records. The content of eConsults was analyzed and grouped into different subjects. Time of sending of the eConsults was analyzed. A comparison was made between the number of eConsults sent to the hospital pharmacy and the number sent to the medical center. Finally, the appropriateness for evaluation by the hospital pharmacist was assessed in all eConsults.Results: During the study period, 983 eConsults (from 808 patients) were sent to the hospital pharmacist. The average patient age was 56 (SD 15.9) years, and 51.4% (415/808) were male; 47.8% (386/808) of the patients used 0 to 4 medications, 33.0% (267/808) used 5 to 9 medications, and 19.2% (155/808) used =10 medications. Of the eConsults, 10.9% (107/983) were excluded due to not being medication-related or not intended for the hospital pharmacist. Patients being treated in 31 medical specialties sent eConsults to the hospital pharmacist. The most common medical specialty was cardiology with 22.5% (197/876) of the eConsults. Most eConsults were sent during office hours (614/876, 70.2%). eConsult subjects were medication verification (372/876, 42.5%), logistics (243/876, 27.7%), therapeutic effect and adverse events (100/876, 11.4%), use of medication (87/876,Conclusions: Introducing eConsults allows patients to ask medication-related questions directly to hospital pharmacists. Our study shows that patients send medication reconciliation-related eConsults most often. Use of the eConsult tool leads to fast, direct, and documented communication between patient and hospital pharmacist. This can reduce medication-related errors, improve patient empowerment, and increase access to the hospital pharmacist. Show less
AimsPostoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication of cardiac surgery, yet difficult to detect in ambulatory patients. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the effect... Show moreAimsPostoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication of cardiac surgery, yet difficult to detect in ambulatory patients. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a mobile health (mHealth) intervention on POAF detection after cardiac surgery.Methods and resultsWe performed an observational cohort study among 730 adult patients who underwent cardiac surgery at a tertiary care hospital in The Netherlands. Of these patients, 365 patients received standard care and were included as a historical control group, undergoing surgery between December 2017 and September 2018, and 365 patients were prospectively included from November 2018 and November 2020, undergoing an mHealth intervention which consisted of blood pressure, temperature, weight, and electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring. One physical outpatient follow-up moment was replaced by an electronic visit. All patients were requested to fill out a satisfaction and quality of life questionnaire. Mean age in the intervention group was 62 years, 275 (70.4%) patients were males. A total of 4136 12-lead ECGs were registered. In the intervention group, 61 (16.7%) patients were diagnosed with POAF vs. 25 (6.8%) patients in the control group [adjusted risk ratio (RR) of POAF detection: 2.15; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.55–3.97]. De novo atrial fibrillation was found in 13 patients using mHealth (6.5%) vs. 4 control group patients (1.8%; adjusted RR 3.94, 95% CI: 1.50–11.27).ConclusionScheduled self-measurements with mHealth devices could increase the probability of detecting POAF within 3 months after cardiac surgery. The effect of an increase in POAF detection on clinical outcomes needs to be addressed in future research. Show less
Introduction: Digital diagnostic decision support tools promise to accelerate diagnosis and increase health care efficiency in rheumatology. Rheumatic? is an online tool developed by specialists in... Show moreIntroduction: Digital diagnostic decision support tools promise to accelerate diagnosis and increase health care efficiency in rheumatology. Rheumatic? is an online tool developed by specialists in rheumatology and general medicine together with patients and patient organizations. It calculates a risk score for several rheumatic diseases. We ran a pilot study retrospectively testing Rheumatic? for its ability to differentiate symptoms from existing or emerging immune-mediated rheumatic diseases from other rheumatic and musculoskeletal complaints and disorders in patients visiting rheumatology clinics.Materials and Methods: The performance of Rheumatic? was tested using in three university rheumatology centers: (A) patients at Risk for RA (Karolinska Institutet, n = 50 individuals with musculoskeletal complaints and anti-citrullinated protein antibody positivity) (B) patients with early joint swelling [dataset B (Erlangen) n = 52]. (C) Patients with early arthritis where the clinician considered it likely to be of auto-immune origin [dataset C (Leiden) n = 73]. In dataset A we tested whether Rheumatic? could predict the development of arthritis. In dataset B and C we tested whether Rheumatic? could predict the development of an immune-mediated rheumatic diseases. We examined the discriminative power of the total score with the Wilcoxon rank test and the area-under-the-receiver-operating-characteristic curve (AUC-ROC). Next, we calculated the test characteristics for these patients passing the first or second expert-based Rheumatic? scoring threshold.Results: The total test scores differentiated between: (A) Individuals developing arthritis or not, median 245 vs. 163, P < 0.0001, AUC-ROC = 75.3; (B) patients with an immune-mediated arthritic disease or not median 191 vs. 107, P < 0.0001, AUC-ROC = 79.0; but less patients with an immune-mediated arthritic disease or not amongst those where the clinician already considered an immune mediated disease most likely (median 262 vs. 212, P < 0.0001, AUC-ROC = 53.6). Threshold-1 (advising to visit primary care doctor) was highly specific in dataset A and B (0.72, 0.87, and 0.23, respectively) and sensitive (0.67, 0.61, and 0.67). Threshold-2 (advising to visit rheumatologic care) was very specific in all three centers but not very sensitive: specificity of 1.0, 0.96, and 0.91, sensitivity 0.05, 0.07, 0.14 in dataset A, B, and C, respectively.Conclusion:Rheumatic? is a web-based patient-centered multilingual diagnostic tool capable of differentiating immune-mediated rheumatic conditions from other musculoskeletal problems. The current scoring system needs to be further optimized. Show less
