Contributions
Abstract: EP1728
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Therapy - Others
Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterised by extreme symptom variation and adverse manifestation of physical and cognitive disabilities resulting from demyelination of the central nervous system. While MS is treated pharmacologically, the complexity of the disease requires patients to be proactive in self-management of complications.
Objective: Assess physician and patient perceptions of MS patients' utilisation of self-monitoring techniques.
Methods: Patient self-monitoring data was collected from three sources and descriptive analyses were done separately. Healthcare Practitioner (HCP) Perceptual Questionnaire; collected de-identified HCP perceptions from 10/2017-12/2017; Dynamic patient record forms [PRF]; HCPs collected de-identified data from relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients initiating or switching treatment at the time of consultation (1/2018 -3/2018). Lastly, the Ipsos MS syndicated Patient Community gathered qualitative patient perceptions via an online platform in the 4EU (UK/Germany/ Italy/Spain) and US from 2/2018 - 3/2018.
Results: HCPs' perception of patients' use of connected health devices in management of MS was low, with less than one-third of HCPs (27.7%, n=242) in 5EU and the US (20.2% n=109) demonstrating awareness. From a scale of 1= not at all knowledgeable to 7=very knowledgeable HCPs recorded an average of 3.8 in the 5EU and 3.7 in the US, resp. in their knowledgeability to recommend an appropriate eHealth device. PRF data indicated that for 72.7% (n=1515) and 62.5% (n=517) 5EU and US resp. of RRMS patients, HCPs were not aware of patients using eHealth devices to track health parameters such as heart rate, activity and sleep patterns. When data from the Patient Community was examined, 88% of patients in the 4EU and US (n=97) chose to self-monitor; the top three most frequently mentioned being weight, sleep and number of steps walked per day. Additionally, 84% and 47% of patients were willing to share self-monitoring data with their neurologist and MS nurse, resp.
Conclusions: Self-monitoring is a patient-led initiative, rarely suggested by HCPs who have both low awareness and comfort in their knowledgeability to recommend an eHealth device. This choice to self-monitor, despite limited HCP engagement reflects patient perceptions of self-monitoring as a self-determined responsibility. This demonstrates the acceptance and opportunity for utilisation of self-monitoring to improve disease management among MS patients.
Disclosure: All authors are employees of Ipsos Healthcare and have nothing to disclose.
Abstract: EP1728
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Therapy - Others
Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterised by extreme symptom variation and adverse manifestation of physical and cognitive disabilities resulting from demyelination of the central nervous system. While MS is treated pharmacologically, the complexity of the disease requires patients to be proactive in self-management of complications.
Objective: Assess physician and patient perceptions of MS patients' utilisation of self-monitoring techniques.
Methods: Patient self-monitoring data was collected from three sources and descriptive analyses were done separately. Healthcare Practitioner (HCP) Perceptual Questionnaire; collected de-identified HCP perceptions from 10/2017-12/2017; Dynamic patient record forms [PRF]; HCPs collected de-identified data from relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients initiating or switching treatment at the time of consultation (1/2018 -3/2018). Lastly, the Ipsos MS syndicated Patient Community gathered qualitative patient perceptions via an online platform in the 4EU (UK/Germany/ Italy/Spain) and US from 2/2018 - 3/2018.
Results: HCPs' perception of patients' use of connected health devices in management of MS was low, with less than one-third of HCPs (27.7%, n=242) in 5EU and the US (20.2% n=109) demonstrating awareness. From a scale of 1= not at all knowledgeable to 7=very knowledgeable HCPs recorded an average of 3.8 in the 5EU and 3.7 in the US, resp. in their knowledgeability to recommend an appropriate eHealth device. PRF data indicated that for 72.7% (n=1515) and 62.5% (n=517) 5EU and US resp. of RRMS patients, HCPs were not aware of patients using eHealth devices to track health parameters such as heart rate, activity and sleep patterns. When data from the Patient Community was examined, 88% of patients in the 4EU and US (n=97) chose to self-monitor; the top three most frequently mentioned being weight, sleep and number of steps walked per day. Additionally, 84% and 47% of patients were willing to share self-monitoring data with their neurologist and MS nurse, resp.
Conclusions: Self-monitoring is a patient-led initiative, rarely suggested by HCPs who have both low awareness and comfort in their knowledgeability to recommend an eHealth device. This choice to self-monitor, despite limited HCP engagement reflects patient perceptions of self-monitoring as a self-determined responsibility. This demonstrates the acceptance and opportunity for utilisation of self-monitoring to improve disease management among MS patients.
Disclosure: All authors are employees of Ipsos Healthcare and have nothing to disclose.