New UAB Study Finds Use of Patient Engagement Technology Varies By Patient Demographics

This study on the “Disparities in Perioperative Use of Patient Engagement Technologies - Not All Use is Equal,” published in the Annals of Surgery by Lauren Theiss, M.D. discusses the association of patient-level characteristics on the use of patient engagement technology during the perioperative period. SeamlessMD is an example of a digital patient engagement platform that guides patients from pre-surgery preparation through post-surgery recovery using their own devices (e.g. smartphone, tablet, computer). 

Here is an excerpt from The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s (UAB) news forum summarizing UAB’s results examining disparities in perioperative use of SeamlessMD:

As patient engagement technologies are increasingly used, it remains unclear who uses, and does not use, these technologies. So, the team of researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery who enrolled in a patient engagement technology at UAB. Ultimately, the study suggests that patient use of a patient engagement technology around surgery differs significantly by patient sex, race/ethnicity, and insurance status. Specifically, male patients, patients who are not privately insured, and Black patients were less likely to activate and use the technology.

These results reveal the importance of addressing the disparities in patient-level characteristics prior to the implementation of such technologies. Determining the root causes of low adoption rates amongst the specified populations can help healthcare providers and patients receive the full benefit of patient engagement technology, leading to the desired surgical outcomes.