Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Human Factors
Date Submitted: Mar 1, 2023
Open Peer Review Period: Mar 1, 2023 - Mar 15, 2023
Date Accepted: Jun 17, 2023
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Evaluating a Next-Generation Connected Drug Delivery Device for Growth Hormone Therapy: Qualitative Study of Healthcare Professionals’ Perceptions of Usefulness and Ease of Use
ABSTRACT
Background:
Digital solutions targeting children’s health have become an increasingly important element in the provision of integrated healthcare. For the treatment of growth hormone deficiency (GHD), a unique connected device is available to facilitate the delivery of recombinant human GH (r-hGH) by automating the daily injection process and collecting injection data such that accurate adherence information is available to healthcare professionals (HCPs), caregivers, and patients. Adoption of such digital solutions requires a good understanding of the perspectives of HCPs as key stakeholders since they leverage data collection and prescribe these solutions to their patients.
Objective:
To evaluate the next generation easypod® (EP) device (EP3) for the delivery of GH treatment from the HCP perspective, with a focus on usability, data-enabled insights, and usefulness.
Methods:
A qualitative study was conducted, based on a participatory workshop held in Zaragoza, Spain with HCPs experienced in the management of paediatric GHD. Several activities were designed to promote discussion among participants on predefined topics based on the Technology Acceptance Model and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology to provide their perceptions of the new device.
Results:
Ten HCPs from seven regional hospitals in Spain participated in the workshop. Participants reported two key advantages of EP3 over previous easypod® generations: the touch screen interface and the real-time data transmission functionality. All participants agreed that the new device should be part of a digital health ecosystem that provides complementary functionalities including data analysis.
Conclusions:
This work explored the perceived value of the next generation EP3 auto-injector device for the treatment of GHD by HCPs. HCPs ranked the new capabilities of the device as having substantial improvements and concluded that it was highly recommendable for clinical practice. EP3 will enhance decision making and allow for more personalised care of patients receiving r-hGH.
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