Impact of Digital Media on the Patient Journey and Patient-Physician Relationship: Qualitative Interviews with Dermatologists and Adult Patients with Skin Diseases in Germany (Preprint)

Abstract

Digital media are easily accessible without time restrictions. Patients may therefore access health information without a physician’s appointment and potentially benefit from shortened patient journeys and better patient-physician interactions.

The present interview study was designed to explore dermatologists’ and patients’ experiences with digital media use for medical purposes in the context of patient journeys and patient-physician relationships.

Twenty-eight semi-structured online interviews were conducted and audio recorded by experienced interviewers. Interviewed were 16 adult patients with skin diseases and 12 dermatologists in Germany. All recorded data were pseudonymized, fully transcribed verbatim, and subsequently analyzed according to Mayring’s qualitative content analysis, allowing for both a qualitative interview text analysis and a quantitative assessment of category assignments.

Eight main categories emerged as key areas of interest: (1) search for diagnosis, (2) pre-consultation digital media use, (3) in-depth information, (4) self-treatment, (5) patient-physician interaction, (6) roles of dermatologists and patients, (7) e-health literacy, and (8) opportunities and risks. Searches for diagnosis or treatment options were most frequently (50%) reported because of a suspected mismatch of symptoms and diagnosis or dissatisfaction with current therapies. Concerns regarding a potentially severe diagnosis prompted searches for initial or in-depth information before or after dermatological consultations. However, the large volume of information of varying quality often confused patients. Dermatologists generally encouraged the use of digital media, considered teledermatology advantageous, and viewed Big Data and artificial intelligence potentially beneficial, particularly when searching for rare diagnoses. A single, easily accessible, and free-of-charge platform with high quality information in layman’s language was recommended.

Digital media are widely accepted by both patients and dermatologists and can positively influence both the dermatological patient journey and patient-physician relationship. Digital media may therefore have great potential to improve specialized health care.