November 19, 2021: Exploring Approaches in Using Digital and Mobile Health in Patient-oriented Research: Pearls and Pitfalls (Anish K. Agarwal MD, MPH MS)

Posted on by terren.green@duke.edu

Speaker

Anish K. Agarwal MD, MPH MS
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine
Clinical Innovation Manager, Penn Medicine Center for Health Care Innovation
University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

Topic

Exploring Approaches in Using Digital and Mobile Health in Patient-oriented Research: Pearls and Pitfalls

Keywords

Mobile health; Digital health; Patient-oriented research; Study design

Key Points

  • Digital and mobile health is a rapidly evolving field that integrates with the electronic health records in both low and high tech ways.
  • Dr. Agarwal conducted a randomized control trial of overweight veterans who had daily access to a smartphone or tablet. These participants were sent a wearable device to collect step count data.
  • An important consideration for studies using mobile health technology is participant access to a smart or mobile device. 85% of Americans have access to a Smartphone where 97% have access to a mobile device that can receive texts. 20% use a smartwatch.
  • Mobile methods are just tools to support overall study design.
  • Dr. Agrawal conducted a study on post-operative opioid prescribing and use. Data was gathered from participants via text messaging systems.
  • Simple text messages that are more conversational in nature are received better by the participant. Links in text messages should be limited. It’s important for participants to understand the privacy and security of their communications and data. Nudge a participant with a text at the right time to avoid being overbearing.

Discussion Themes

Let patients know that SMS is not secure, and frame questions to avoid patients sending HIPAA covered data via text.

A good relationship with your institutions Privacy and Safety office is fundamental to navigating IRB regulations for research with digital and mobile devices.

 

Read more about Dr. Agarwal’s studies using mobile health devices: Effect of Gamification With and Without Financial Incentives to Increase Physical Activity Among Veterans Classified as Having Obesity or Overweight: A Randomized Clinical Trial and Patient-Reported Opioid Consumption and Pain Intensity After Common Orthopedic and Urologic Surgical Procedures With Use of an Automated Text Messaging System.

 

Tags

#pctGR, @Collaboratory1