Currently submitted to: JMIR mHealth and uHealth
Date Submitted: Jul 11, 2026
Open Peer Review Period: Jul 15, 2026 - Sep 9, 2026
(currently open for review)
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Treatment Burden in the Digital Era: A Qualitative Case Study of a Digital Care Pathway for Epilepsy
ABSTRACT
Background:
Digital care pathways are increasingly used to support chronic disease management, yet empirical evidence of their impact on treatment burden remains scarce.
Objective:
This study examines how a digital care pathway for epilepsy (DCPE) influences treatment burden and what are its effects on daily lives of persons with epilepsy
Methods:
A qualitative single-case study was conducted in a Finnish healthcare setting. Semistructured interviews were carried out with persons with epilepsy (n=18), caregivers(n=3), and healthcare professionals (n=7). Data were analyzed deductively using the Burden of Treatment Theory, focusing on care-related work, challenges, and impacts on well-being.
Results:
DCPE was perceived as convenient, easy to use, timesaving, and reducing treatment burden for most users. It was particularly suitable for routine communication once care relationship had been established, while face-to-face interactions remained important for newly diagnosed or in treatment change. DCPE supported routine medication management well. However, it did not address broader psychosocial impacts of epilepsy, and further development needs were identified.
Conclusions:
DCPE can reduce treatment burden and improve access to care for most users, particularly in routine care. However, hybrid care models remain essential, as face-toface support was preferred in certain phases of care pathway. Future development should focus on the diverse needs of people with epilepsy and on addressing the psychosocial aspects of living with epilepsy.
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