Use of digital health tools in inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Objective: To analyse the characteristics and use of digital health tools (DHT) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: We performed a qualitative study based on a narrative literature review, a questionnaire and on the opinion of 3 expert gastroenterologists. Several searches were carried out until September 2022 through Medline to identify articles on the use of DHT in IBD by healthcare professionals. A structured questionnaire was designed to be answered by health professionals involved in the care of patients with IBD. The experts generated a set of recommendations.

Results: There are multiple DHT for IBD with different characteristics and contents. We received 29 questionnaires. Almost 50% of the participants were 41-50 years old, the majority were women (83%) and 90% were gastroenterologists. A total of 96% reported the use of several DHT, but 20% used them occasionally or infrequently. Web pages were found the most used (62%). DHT are mostly used to get information (80%), followed by clinical practice issues (70%) and educational purposes (62%). G-Educainflamatoria website is the best known and most used HDS (96% and 64%, respectively). The main barriers to the use of DHT in IBD were the lack of time (55%), doubts about the benefit of DHT (50%) and the excess of information (40%).

Conclusions: Healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients with to IBD frequently use DHT, although actions are needed to optimize their use and to guarantee their efficient and safe use.

Keywords: App; Digital health tools; Encuesta; Enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal; Experts’ opinion; Herramientas digitales en salud; Inflammatory bowel disease; Narrative review; Opinión de expertos; Questionnaire; Revisión narrativa.