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Schmieding ML, Kopka M, Bolanaki M, Napierala H, Altendorf MB, Kuschick D, Piper SK, Scatturin L, Schmidt K, Schorr C, Thissen A, Wäscher C, Heintze C, Möckel M, Balzer F, Slagman A
Impact of a Symptom Checker App on Patient-Physician Interaction Among Self-Referred Walk-In Patients in the Emergency Department: Multicenter, Parallel-Group, Randomized, Controlled Trial
Impact of a symptom checker application on patient-physician interaction among self-referred walk-in patients in the emergency department: a multi-centre, parallel-group, randomized, controlled trial
Malte L. Schmieding;
Marvin Kopka;
Myrto Bolanaki;
Hendrik Napierala;
Maria B. Altendorf;
Doreen Kuschick;
Sophie K. Piper;
Lennart Scatturin;
Konrad Schmidt;
Claudia Schorr;
Alica Thissen;
Cornelia Wäscher;
Christoph Heintze;
Martin Möckel;
Felix Balzer;
Anna Slagman
ABSTRACT
Background:
Symptom-checker applications (SCAs) are layperson-facing tools providing advice on whether and where to seek care (triage) and / or possible diagnoses. Previous research focused on assessing accuracy and safety of triage advice and diagnostic suggestions of the myriad of available SCAs, and their usability.
Objective:
As studies on SCAs’ impact remain scarce this trial evaluates an SCA’s effects on patient-physician interaction and satisfaction with acute care.
Methods:
This parallel-group, randomised, controlled trial was carried out at two emergency departments (EDs) of an academic medical centre and an emergency practice in Berlin, Germany. Low-acuity patients seeking care in these three trial sites were randomly assigned to either self-assess their health complaints with a widely available SCA prior to their first encounter with the treating physician or to care as usual. Our primary endpoint was patients’ satisfaction with the patient-physician interaction as measured by the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ). Secondary objectives included patients’ anxiety and their satisfaction with care.
Results:
A total of 363 patients were included (intervention: 173, control: 190) in the modified intention-to-treat analysis. PSQ in the intervention group was similar to the control group (mean (SD): M=78·5 (20·0) vs. 80·8 (19·6); estimated difference: -2·4, 95%-CI: -6·3 to 1·1, p = 0·24). Secondary outcomes revealed no significant group differences, either.
Conclusions:
Our study provides no evidence for SCAs improving the patient-physician interaction or satisfaction with care in acute care. Clinical Trial: The trial was registered in the German Clinical Trial Registry (DRKS00028598).
Citation
Please cite as:
Schmieding ML, Kopka M, Bolanaki M, Napierala H, Altendorf MB, Kuschick D, Piper SK, Scatturin L, Schmidt K, Schorr C, Thissen A, Wäscher C, Heintze C, Möckel M, Balzer F, Slagman A
Impact of a Symptom Checker App on Patient-Physician Interaction Among Self-Referred Walk-In Patients in the Emergency Department: Multicenter, Parallel-Group, Randomized, Controlled Trial