Online survey of healthcare professionals on the use of digital technology in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in Austria
ABSTRACT
Background:
Advances in digital technology (DT), such as health apps and telerehabilitation systems, offer promising treatment modalities in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the successful adoption of DT in clinical practice depends on a variety of factors. A comprehensive understanding of the influencing factors on DT usage in healthcare can support the complex implementation process of DT in clinical practice.
Objective:
This study therefore to identify barriers and facilitators of DT usage in CVD secondary prevention from the perspective of healthcare professionals (HCPs), and to explore whether certain HCP characteristics are related to the current usage of DT in clinical practice.
Methods:
An online survey questionnaire, inquiring about the perspectives and uses of DTs in CVD secondary prevention, was deployed among Austrian HCPs from November 2021 to February 2022.
Results:
Overall, 125 HCPs across different professions and settings, such as cardiac rehabilitation, were recruited. General readiness for employing DTs in the care of cardiac patients was high, but only 65 (52%) respondents reported doing so. The top-3 rated barriers to DT use were poor user-experience of devices/applications, lack of cost coverage and low digital competence of patients. More personal use of DT, younger age and higher technology affinity of HCPs indicated higher readiness to use DT with cardiac patients.
Conclusions:
Our findings provide an overview of the current use of DT in the secondary prevention of CVD in Austria. HCPs’ perspectives on barriers to DT use may inform the design and implementation of future digitalization projects. Clinical Trial: Not applicable
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