Barriers to Technology Adoption by Patients and Providers in Diabetes and Hypertension Care Management

Abstract

Remote monitoring has been demonstrated to be an effective tool for decreasing costs and improving outcomes, however, both patients and providers have shown a reluctance to embrace technology. This survey-based, cross-sectional designed study assessed the barriers faced by patients and providers in the District of Columbia for technology adoption in remote monitoring. The patients had a diagnosis of either diabetes, hypertension, or both conditions, and utilized the technology of a home blood glucose monitor, continuous glucose monitor or ambulatory blood pressure monitor. The surveyed providers included staff engaged in chronic disease management of patients with diabetes and hypertension. An adapted version of the Barriers to Health Promoting Activities for Disabled Persons Scale (BHADP)was administered to study participants and statistically analyzed. Data analysis compared and contrasted demographics and survey responses and revealed that there is a discordance in the ways that patients perceive the barriers to technology as compared to the ways that providers perceive them. Data analysis also revealed significant system barriers that limited providers use of remote monitoring technologies. A model is proposed that identifies inputs and barriers experienced by the patient in their journey to initiate or continue a technology (adapted from Moore et al.’s 2021 Conceptual Model).