A questionnaire study to explore the views of people with multiple sclerosis of using smartphone technology for health care purposes

Abstract

Purpose: Delivering interventions over the lifetime of people with chronic conditions is an international healthcare challenge. The benefits of technology in healthcare have been demonstrated in many health conditions. This study aims to seek the views of People with multiple sclerosis (MS) of the feasibility and perceived acceptability of smartphone use for healthcare purposes.

Methods: Using SurveyMonkey™, respondents answered 21 items about their smartphone use and acceptance of smartphones in healthcare. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data from closed questions. Content analysis was used for open questions.

Results: Most of the self-selected 197 respondents were female (138/197;70.1%), aged 42.78 ± 10.29 years, had relapsing-remitting MS (143/187;76.5%), and mobilized without an aid (154/197;78.17%). Most respondents reported having smartphone access (174/191;91.1%) and owning smartphones (167/192;86.97%). Perceived benefits of smartphones included improved healthcare access (119/190;62.63%) and greater independence (124/190;65.26%). The top three concerns included reduced contact with Healthcare Professionals (66/186;35.48%), data security (60/186;32.26%) and visual impairment (47/184;25.54%).

Conclusion: These findings suggest that smartphone use is extensive, frequent, and acceptable for healthcare purposes in this self-selected sample. People with MS should be consulted during the design of smartphone-based interventions, as specific concerns were raised. Future studies should explore how this technology may be best used and implemented in practice.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Smartphones may have the potential to improve the implementation of best practice among people with multiple sclerosis (MS)

• This study found that smartphone use is widespread among people with MS, the majority of whom would accept using smartphones in healthcare.

• Some potential issues were raised, and would need to be considered during the development and implementation of smartphone-based interventions. Issues included potential lack of contact with health-care professionals, data security, and visual impairment.

Keywords:

• Physiotherapy
• chronic condition
• neurological
• E-health
• management

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Multiple Sclerosis Ireland and the MS Society (UK), who assisted with recruitment by advertising the study, and all the study participants who kindly gave their time in assisting with this project.

Thanks also to Dr. Susan Coote, Dr. Catherine Browne and Dr. Sara Hayes at the University of Limerick for reviewing preliminary drafts of this article and to Dr. Nancy Salmon for her additional guidance on qualitative analysis.

Disclosure statement

Nicola Griffin was funded by a Health Research Board Summer Studentship (2013). A focus group was carried out which informed the development of the questionnaire used in this study.

Additional information

Funding

This work was carried out in the Department of Clinical Therapies, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland. Nicola Griffin was funded by a Health Research Board Summer Studentship (2013).