doi: 10.56294/mw2024492

 

ORIGINAL

 

Analyzing the Impact of Digital Health Communication on Patient Engagement and Treatment Adherence

 

Análisis del impacto de la comunicación digital en salud en la participación de los pacientes y la adherencia al tratamiento

 

Uma Bhardwaj1  *, Malathi. H2 , Vinima Gambhir3 , Aurolipy Das4 , Rapaka Sudhir5 , Ashmeet Kaur6 , Anoop Dev7   

 

1Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Noida International University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.

2Biotechnology and Genetics, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), Bangalore, Karnataka, India.

3Department of ISME, ATLAS SkillTech University, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

4Department of Management, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.

5Centre for Multidisciplinary Research, Anurag University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

6Chitkara Centre for Research and Development, Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh, India.

7Centre of Research Impact and Outcome, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, India.

 

Cite as: Bhardwaj U, H M, Gambhir V, Das A, Sudhir R, Kaur A, et al. Analyzing the Impact of Digital Health Communication on Patient Engagement and Treatment Adherence. Seminars in Medical Writing and Education. 2024; 3:492. https://doi.org/10.56294/mw2024492

 

Submitted: 03-10-2023                   Revised: 05-01-2024                   Accepted: 07-05-2024                 Published: 08-05-2024

 

Editor: PhD. Prof. Estela Morales Peralta  

 

Corresponding author: Uma Bhardwaj *

 

ABSTRACT

 

Modern healthcare systems now strongly rely on digital health communication to get patients more engaged in their treatment and assist them to stay with their prescriptions. Healthcare professionals may now have more tailored and continuous interactions with their patients since so many individuals use mobile applications, telemedicine systems, and digital health data. With an eye on how technology-based solutions can enable patients to follow their treatment regimens for chronic illnesses and preventative care, this paper investigates how digital health communication influences patient engagement and treatment commitment. This paper examines how well various digital communication technologies text systems, notes, video chats, real-time tracking help patients and medical professionals interact with one another. The research also examines how successfully digital health technologies enable individuals to follow their treatments as well as how their behaviour, drive, and overall pleasure in regard to care. This paper uses a lot of current research, polls, and case studies to find the main things that make digital communication work in healthcare. These are ease of use, accessibility, perceived value, and trust in technology. The results show that digital health communication makes patients more interested by giving them personalised material, letting them connect with healthcare professionals at the right time, and giving them more chances to learn. Digital platforms have also been shown to help people stick with their treatments by reminding them, tracking their progress, and letting healthcare workers offer real-time support when they are used with personalised treatment plans. Even though there are benefits, there are still big problems that need to be fixed, like not knowing how to use technology, worries about privacy, and unequal access to digital tools.

 

Keywords: Digital Health Communication; Patient Engagement; Treatment Adherence; Telemedicine; Mobile Health; Chronic Disease Management.

 

RESUMEN

 

Los sistemas de atención médica modernos dependen en gran medida de la comunicación digital en salud para involucrar más a los pacientes en su tratamiento y ayudarlos a cumplir con sus prescripciones. Los profesionales de la salud ahora pueden tener interacciones más personalizadas y continuas con sus pacientes, ya que muchas personas utilizan aplicaciones móviles, sistemas de telemedicina y datos digitales de salud. Con el enfoque en cómo las soluciones basadas en tecnología pueden permitir que los pacientes sigan sus regímenes de tratamiento para enfermedades crónicas y cuidados preventivos, este artículo investiga cómo la comunicación digital en salud influye en el compromiso del paciente y la adherencia al tratamiento. Este trabajo examina qué tan bien diversas tecnologías de comunicación digital, como sistemas de mensajes de texto, notas, videollamadas y seguimiento en tiempo real, facilitan la interacción entre pacientes y profesionales médicos. La investigación también analiza cómo las tecnologías digitales de salud permiten que los individuos sigan sus tratamientos, así como su comportamiento, motivación y satisfacción general con respecto a la atención. Este artículo utiliza una gran cantidad de investigaciones recientes, encuestas y estudios de casos para identificar los factores clave que hacen que la comunicación digital sea efectiva en el ámbito de la salud. Estos factores incluyen la facilidad de uso, la accesibilidad, el valor percibido y la confianza en la tecnología. Los resultados muestran que la comunicación digital en salud aumenta el interés de los pacientes al proporcionarles material personalizado, permitirles conectarse con profesionales de la salud en el momento adecuado y ofrecerles más oportunidades de aprendizaje. También se ha demostrado que las plataformas digitales ayudan a las personas a adherirse a sus tratamientos mediante recordatorios, seguimiento de su progreso y permitiendo que los trabajadores de la salud brinden apoyo en tiempo real cuando se utilizan junto con planes de tratamiento personalizados. A pesar de los beneficios, aún existen grandes desafíos que deben abordarse, como la falta de conocimiento sobre el uso de la tecnología, las preocupaciones sobre la privacidad y el acceso desigual a las herramientas digitales.

 

Palabras clave: Comunicación Digital en Salud; Compromiso del Paciente; Adherencia al Tratamiento; Telemedicina; Salud Móvil; Manejo de Enfermedades Crónicas.

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION

Particularly with regard to including patients in their treatment and ensuring them follow their treatment plan, the emergence of digital technologies in healthcare has transformed the communication between patients and healthcare professionals. Digital health communication has grown in significance as healthcare shifts towards more individualised and patient-centered treatment in managing chronic illnesses, offering preventative care, and improving overall health outcomes. Among the many instruments available in digital health communication are wearable technology, patient portals, telemedicine systems, mobile health applications, and remote monitoring systems. These are all supposed to make patient-provider communication timelier, effective, and tailored. By offering individuals greater flexibility, real-time assistance, and simpler access to technologies that enable them to make better health decisions and act in better ways, these new concepts might transform the way healthcare is usually done. Long recognised as a crucial approach to enhance health outcomes is patient involvement that is, individuals actively participating in their healthcare choices and behaviours. Engaged patients are more likely to follow their treatment programs, attend their follow-up appointments, and modify their way of life in accordance with advice from their physicians. Even though the benefits of engagement are well known, many patients have trouble sticking to their treatments, especially when they have long-term conditions that need to be managed.(1) Low treatment retention rates are often caused by things like forgetting, not following directions, lack of drive, and not being able to communicate well with healthcare workers. These problems make it clear that we need new ideas to get around these problems and make patients more interested and more likely to follow through. These problems can be solved with digital health communication, which uses technology to help people and healthcare workers talk to each other better. One of the best things about digital communication is that it lets you send personalised, real-time information to patients, which helps them stay up to date on their health situations and treatment plans. Digital platforms let healthcare workers send health tips, medicine alerts, and meeting notes.(2) This makes it less likely that patients will miss treatments and visits. Patients can also get training materials that help them understand why their treatments are important, which gives them the power to make smart choices about their health. Figure 1 shows how digital health communication makes patients more involved in their care and helps them stick with their treatment.

 

Figure 1. Impact of digital health communication on patient engagement and treatment adherence

 

Telemedicine, an important part of digital health communication, has become very popular recently because it lets patients and doctors talk to each other from afar, making things easier and more accessible. Patients can now talk to doctors and nurses from the comfort of their own homes. This facilitates their following of their treatment regimens and seeking of assistance as needed. Telemedicine tremendously assists those living in rural or impoverished regions because it enables them to get the same degree of treatment as those living in more metropolitan areas despite physical challenges. Encouragement of continuous communication and reduction of treatment delays by telemedicine simplicity of use and accessibility have clearly raised patient engagement.(3) Furthermore, clever technology and mobile health applications have grown to be effective means of monitor treatment compliance and inspire individuals to stay to it. These devices detect your heart rate, blood sugar, physical activity in real time and may forward that data to your healthcare providers so they may monitor you constantly. These devices may also be used by patients to record their development and get reminders to follow certain care instructions, work exercise, or take their medications. Having patients participate with their treatment programs increases their likelihood of following them. Since they are actively monitoring their health objectives, it also helps children to feel motivated and responsible. Even though digital health communication has many benefits, there are some problems that need to be fixed before it can be widely used and be effective.(4) One big problem is digital literacy. Some people, especially older adults, might not know how to use these tools to their full potential because they are not comfortable with it. Patients may also be hesitant to use digital health tools if they are worried about data safety and security, especially when private health information is at stake.

 

Literature review

Overview of Digital Health Communication Technologies

Digital health communication tools have changed the healthcare field by letting patients and healthcare workers talk to each other in real time, in an engaging way, and in a way that is specific to each patient. Mobile health (mHealth) apps, telemedicine platforms, smart tech, patient websites, and remote tracking systems are just a few of the tools that fall under these categories. For example, mHealth apps let people keep track of their health, get instructions to take their medications as prescribed, and access educational material. Telemedicine systems let doctors and patients talk to each other virtually, so patients don't have to go to the doctor's office as often, especially those who live in rural areas. By letting doctors keep an eye on people all the time, these tools also help people with chronic diseases get the care they need and avoid having to go back to the hospital. Wearable tech, like fitness trackers and smartwatches, gives people real-time information on their heart rate, exercise level, sleep habits, and other health indicators, letting them keep an eye on their health. Health care workers often get this information, which lets them step in when needed and change treatment plans as needed.(5) Patient websites are safe online spaces where patients can see their medical information, talk to their doctors, make appointments, and refill medications. This makes patients more involved in their care and speeds up the process. Healthcare workers can check on a patient's health from afar with remote tracking systems, which are often used to handle chronic diseases. This makes care more personalised. These methods have worked well for controlling conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease that need to be watched over all the time. Digital health technologies help patients and doctors talk to each other better and get healthcare services whenever they need them.(6) This makes it easier for patients to stick to their treatment plans and improves their general health.

 

Historical Context of Patient Engagement in Healthcare

Patient participation has been an important idea in healthcare for a long time, but its focus and methods have changed a lot over that time. In the past, the relationship between a patient and a healthcare provider was mostly formal, with healthcare workers making decisions and people being silent in their care. In this old-fashioned way of doing things, patients didn't have much say in what decisions were made, and the main focus was on giving patients medical treatments instead of giving them the tools they needed to be involved in managing their own health. Patients were seen as increasingly active in making choices regarding their own treatment as healthcare shifted its emphasis on patient-centered care towards the 20th century. This period saw increasing popularity of shared decision-making. Here, patients and healthcare professionals discussed treatment options together while considering both scientific facts and patient perspectives.(7) This approach aimed to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes by empowering individuals to feel as if they might influence their own health. Growing technology brought even more changes in patient involvement in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. By let users examine their medical data, communicate with their physicians, and schedule appointments all online, electronic health records (EHRs) and online patient portals give consumers greater control over their healthcare. Thus, patient engagement became renowned as a technique to not only enhance health outcomes but also a critical strategy to deal with issues like not taking drugs as recommended, returning repeatedly to the hospital, and not managing chronic conditions adequately. With the emergence of telemedicine, mobile health applications, and other digital technologies allowing patients and physicians to constantly be in contact, the digital age has accelerated the engagement movement even further. These fresh concepts have improved patient involvement, therefore making it more personal, interesting, and easily accessible.(8) Patients can now get educational material, track their health in real time, set medicine notes, and talk to their healthcare providers from afar, all thanks to digital technologies. This makes engagement easier and more effective than ever before.

 

Previous Studies on Digital Health and Treatment Adherence

A lot of research has been done on the link between digital health technologies and treatment adherence, but the results have been mixed. Many studies indicate that by alerting patients at the appropriate moment, simplifying interaction, and continuously monitoring them, digital health solutions like smart tech, telemedicine, and mobile health applications may help patients follow their treatment programs. In 2013, Free et al. conducted research on how effectively mobile health apps assist persons with chronic illnesses in following their prescriptions. Those who had mobile health apps especially ones that reminded them to take their meds and included training material were much more likely to follow their prescriptions. Because of the fast support and information they received via the app, patients also expressed happiness with their treatment regimens and claimed increased likelihood of following them.(9) Particularly in locations that are difficult to access or lacking sufficient physicians, telemedicine has also been shown to assist individuals follow their therapies. Regular video meetings with healthcare professionals made patients more inclined to take their prescriptions as recommended and reduced the number of times they had to return to the hospital, according to Bashshur et al. (2016), on telemedicine therapies in controlling chronic illnesses. Between appointments, telemedicine also allowed patients to communicate with their physicians, therefore enabling speedy resolution of issues and adherence to treatment programs. Wearable technology has also proven ability to support plan execution. Kitsiou et al. (2017) investigated how wearable technology may monitor chronic illnesses. They discovered that when these techs were combined with digital health platforms, they made treatment sticking to a lot better. Wearable devices tracked and gave patients feedback in real time, which made them more likely to stick to their treatment plans. This reinforced good behaviour changes.(10) Despite these good results, there are still things that need to be done to make adoption work. Some of these are not knowing how to use technology, worries about privacy, and uneven access to digital tools. Many studies have shown that these problems need to be fixed so that digital health interventions can effectively reach a wide range of patients. Table 1 summarizes literature review on applications, impacts, benefits, and future trends in healthcare technologies. Overall, though, the evidence shows that digital health tools can be very helpful in improving patient outcomes and treatment adherence when they are used correctly.

 

METHOD

Research Design

The study uses a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods to fully look into how digital health communication affects patients' willingness to participate in treatment and stick to their plan. This method is used because the topic is very complicated. It's important to understand not only the numbers behind how digital health tools affect patient results, but also the complicated feelings and experiences of both patients and healthcare workers. By combining numbers and stories, this design makes it possible to get a fuller picture of how digital health tools work. The numeric part looks at how well patients stuck to their treatments and how involved they were in their care before and after digital health communication tools were put in place.(14) Surveys will be used to get numerical information about how patients behave, how well they take their medications, and how they use digital health tools. This method will give us clear, measured results that we can use to see how well these tools work at getting patients to follow their treatment plans. In-depth conversations and survey studies are used in the qualitative part to get rich, thorough information about how patients and providers use digital health tools. Through interviews with patients, we will find out how they feel about digital tools, what stops them from using them, and how satisfied they are with the communication platforms generally.(15) In observational studies, healthcare professionals and patients will use digital platforms in real-life situations. This will help researchers understand the difficulties and wins that come up during these exchanges.

 

Table 1. Summary of Literature Review

Application

Impact

Benefits

Future Trend

Mobile Health Applications

Improved treatment adherence and chronic disease management

Convenient access to health data and treatment plans

Integration with AI and machine learning for personalized health recommendations

Telemedicine Platforms.(11)

Enhanced access to healthcare services, especially in rural areas

Reduced travel and waiting time for patients

Expansion of telemedicine services to include more specialties

Wearable Devices

Real-time monitoring and feedback leading to better health outcomes

Increased patient engagement through real-time feedback

Increased adoption of wearable sensors and health tracking devices

Electronic Health Records (EHRs)

Streamlined data sharing and coordination among providers

Better care coordination and reduced medical errors

Widespread adoption of blockchain for secure health data exchange

Patient Portals

Empowerment of patients through access to their medical records

Improved patient understanding and involvement in their care

Integration with IoT for continuous and seamless monitoring

Social Media & Online Health Communities

Increased patient support and community engagement

Fostered patient support through peer interactions

Growth of health communities for real-time social support

Remote Patient Monitoring.(12)

Continuous monitoring and early intervention for chronic conditions

Faster diagnosis and reduced hospital admissions

More focus on predictive analytics for proactive interventions

AI-driven Digital Health Tools

Personalized care plans and optimized treatment recommendations

Improved outcomes through tailored treatment adjustments

Integration of AI for enhanced decision-making and treatment planning

Health Information Exchange (HIE)

Improved information sharing across healthcare systems

Enhanced interoperability between healthcare providers

Greater emphasis on data interoperability across platforms

Digital Medication Reminders

Reduced missed doses and improved medication adherence

Increased patient compliance with medication regimens

Automated medication tracking with intelligent reminders

Teletherapy

Increased accessibility to mental health support

Accessible mental health support anytime, anywhere

Teletherapy’s expansion to cover more mental health conditions

Mobile Fitness Apps(13)

Improved health tracking and motivation

Encourages a healthy lifestyle through tracking and reminders

Increased use of gamification to promote healthier lifestyles

Chronic Disease Management Apps

Better management of chronic conditions with personalized feedback

Increased awareness and self-management of health conditions

More personalized health plans based on genetic and lifestyle data

Virtual Health Coaching

Increased patient motivation through personalized coaching

Continuous, motivational support for health improvement

Increased use of virtual coaching and AI-driven behavior modification

 

Data Collection Methods

Surveys

As a main way to collect numeric data, surveys will be used to find broad trends and patterns in how patients use digital health communication tools to stay engaged in their care and follow through with their plans. A group of patients who have used digital health tools like mobile health apps, telemedicine services, and smart devices will be sent the poll. The poll will have both closed- and open-ended questions, which will allow for the collection of measurable data on things like how often people use digital tools, how often they follow through with their treatment plans, and how satisfied people are with digital tools overall. The poll will ask how often people use the platforms, how helpful they think they are for their health goals, and what kinds of material they find most helpful in order to measure participation.(16) For treatment commitment, the study will ask how often patients take their medicines, go to their follow-up visits, and make the changes to their lifestyle that their doctors have told them to. There will also be descriptive questions to find out how involvement and commitment differ between patient groups based on things like age, gender, and health state.

 

Interviews

There will be interviews to learn more about how patients and healthcare workers feel about using digital health communication tools and what they have experienced. Participants will be able to say what they want in semi-structured talks, which will make sure that important topics like patient involvement and commitment are discussed. Patients will be asked why they use digital health tools, what problems they run into, and how happy they are with these platforms generally. We will talk to healthcare professionals to find out how digital tools affect their relationships with patients, how these tools are used in the clinic, and what they think about how digital communication affects patient results.(17) Interviews will be videotaped and written with permission so they may be reviewed. Theme analysis of the personal data will identify trends, issues, and ideas arising from the experiences of the patient and provider. This will enable you to better grasp the nuances of digital health communication and how it could enable patients to remain on their treatment regimen.

 

Observational Studies

Observational studies in healthcare environments will help to ascertain the actual use of digital health communication technologies. Specifically in virtual consultations or when patients utilise wearable technology or health applications, observations will concentrate on how patients and doctors interact. Researchers will examine how medical professionals utilise digital tools such as smartphone applications telling patients to take their pills or clarify their treatment plans to interact. People will therefore be observed to see how they use these tools, including their level of involvement and what issues they run against. These observational studies will give us information about the real world that polls and conversations might not fully catch, like the details of how patients behave or how doctors do their jobs. The information gathered will be used to look at how digital health tools are used in real life and find places where they could be improved.

 

Sampling Strategy

For this study, the selection method will be purposeful, and the goal is to find people who use or have used digital health communication tools. The sample will include a wide range of people with long-term illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease who could benefit from using digital health tools to better manage their conditions. Focussing on people who are in long-term care plans, this focused method makes sure that the group is useful to the study's goals. The sample will also include healthcare professionals like doctors, nurses, and health coaches who will talk about their experiences with digital health platforms and how they think they affect patients' commitment.(18) There will be healthcare workers from both cities and rural areas so that a wide range of experiences can be collected. This is so because various locations have rather varying access to digital technologies. Using a target sample size of around 200 patients and 30 healthcare professionals, the findings will be statistically significant while nevertheless being manageable for qualitative analysis. To ensure that the sample contains enough members from every subgroup that is, individuals of a certain age, gender, or health condition strata will be employed. This approach will let one examine how various patient groups make use of digital health technologies.

 

Analytical Techniques

Using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, the data acquired by means of polls, interviews, and observational studies will be examined to completely grasp the study topics. Statistical investigation on the numerical data will be conducted using tools such as SPSS or R. The poll answers will be summed up using descriptive data like rates and percentages. This will give an account of how engaged patients are, how well they follow their treatment plans, and how they use digital health tools. We will use inferential statistics, like chi-square tests and association analysis, to look for connections between things like how often people use the app and how well they stick to their plans. This will let the study find out if digital health communication tools are statistically linked to better patient involvement and commitment to treatment. The interview records and observing notes will be put through theme analysis to look at the qualitative data. Based on the study goals, the data will be grouped into themes, such as things that make people not want to use technology, how useful people think digital tools are, and the experiences of both patients and providers. You can use NVivo tools to help you organise and look at qualitative data. The results will be combined with quantitative data to give us a fuller picture of the things that affect people sticking with their treatment and using digital health communication.

 

Analysis of digital health communication tools

Mobile health applications

Mobile health (mHealth) apps are now an important part of digital health communication because they make managing your health easy and available to users. These apps do many things, like keeping track of vital signs, reminding users to take their medications as prescribed, setting fitness goals, and giving users access to health information. Because mHealth applications are easy to use, provide real-time feedback, and can be tailored to match any individual's need, many people like them. Patients may create objectives for things like weight loss, monitoring their blood sugar, or following their prescription regimens. Should they fall short of their targets, they will get reminders, therefore strengthening their adherence to their treatment regimens. mHealth applications also often include instructional tools meant to let users better grasp their conditions and treatment regimens. This enables people to make wise choices about their health. Research indicates that mHealth appsespecially for long-term diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma have been particularly beneficial in motivating individuals to follow their medications. Apps that monitor blood sugar levels and remind users to take their meds, for example, have proved to reduce the frequency of dosage misses and enhance general illness management. Certain applications may have direct contact elements allowing users to email enquiries or complaints to their doctors. This helps the patient and the practitioner to develop trust. Correct use of mHealth applications is another issue, however. Some groups would not be able to obtain cellphones, others might not know how to utilise technology properly, and worries about data privacy might all compromise its potential.

 

Telemedicine Platforms

Using telemedicine apps which have evolved into a revolutionary idea in digital health communication patients may interact with their physicians from distance. Using video chats, safe texts, and even remote monitoring devices, telemedicine helps people especially those who live in rural or underprivileged areas get medical attention more easily. During the COVID-19 epidemic, this technique has been very useful as it lets medical treatments continue running within social distance restrictions. From basic care visits to mental health aid and treatment of long-term diseases, telemedicine technologies simplify the provision of a broad spectrum of health services. By use of these platforms, follow-up sessions may be conducted electronically, thus sparing patients from frequent visits to the doctor, so saving time and money. Through allowing patients to communicate with their physicians at the appropriate moment, telemedicine may enable patients to follow their therapies. Those managing long-term illnesses such heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure should particularly be this true. Virtual meetings also provide patients the flexibility to seek therapy without regard to time or location, therefore increasing their likelihood of participation in their own treatment programs. Telemedicine offers several advantages as well as many drawbacks. If technical issues like sluggish internet connections or difficulties utilising the device arise, virtual meetings might be less helpful. Furthermore, telemedicine may not be able to treat many health issues, particularly those requiring manual hand-operated procedures or physical inspections. Concerned about data security and safety, consumers may also not want to post personal health information on internet platforms. Nevertheless, telemedicine is still extremely crucial for keeping patients involved in their treatment and ensuring they follow through with their plans, particularly as technology continues improving and patients and physicians grow more acquainted with it.

 

Social Media and Online Health Communities

Online health groups and social media are driving digital health communication even more heavily. These websites let users interact, exchange stories, and get medical knowledge. On these sites which include health boards, social media groups, and online support networks patients may discuss their health issues, treatment decisions, and strategies for handling stress. Organisations and medical professionals have also shared instructional resources, raised awareness of health issues, and supported causes connected to health on social media platforms such Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Social media and online health groups have one wonderful feature: they unite individuals. Patients may share their issues and experiences, gain support from others going through the same situation, and choose lessons from peer guidance. By helping patients feel less alone and more driven to follow their treatment regimens, peer support has been shown to increase patient engagement. Figure 2's image demonstrates how patients could benefit from social media and internet health organisations. Furthermore, these sites may help eliminate misleading information by delivering you reliable health information directly from organisations or healthcare professionals.

 

Figure 2. Illustrating Social Media and Online Health Communities

 

Social media's application in healthcare does, however, have several really major issues. The quality and validity of the health information posted on these sites vary greatly; hence patients run the risk of coming across misleading or contradicting assertions. Privacy issues are also rather crucial as those who post personal health data online might run data breaches or be targets of exploitation. Furthermore, not every patient might have access to the internet sufficient to join online health groups or know how to utilise technologies. These sites could therefore not attract as many individuals as they might like. Social media and online health groups are excellent means to acquire patients more engaged, assist them feel better, and educate them more about their health even with these challenges.

 

Electronic Health Records and Patient Portals

Rising electronic health records (EHRs) and user platforms is one of the most significant developments in digital health communication. EHRs are digitised replicas of individual patient paper records. A patient's medical history, ailments, medications, and treatment schedule is fully recorded by them. Viewing these statistics helps health professionals to arrange their job more efficiently and orderly. Linked to electronic health records (EHRs), patient portals are secure websites. Patients may see their own health records, communicate with their physicians, schedule visits, get refills on medications, and monitor their own health developments. By allowing patients direct access to their medical information and therefore increasing their input in the decisions that impact their health, EHRs and patient platforms help patients become more engaged. If patients have queries or concerns, they may check their vital signs, see their blood results, even text their physicians. Better treatment retention rates follow from patients who feel more informed and active in their therapy being more inclined to stay to it. Patients may readily monitor their lists of drugs, for instance, which reduces the possibility of prescription errors and increases loyalty. For EHRs and patient platforms, however, it is not simple either for their general acceptance. Some patients, particularly elderly persons or those who struggle with technology, might find it difficult to apply these instruments. Maintaining and distributing private health data still presents a significant challenge driven mostly by privacy issues. EHRs also aren't usually fully connected across all healthcare systems. This may disrupt information flow and create breakdown in care. Notwithstanding these challenges, EHRs and patient platforms are crucial for improved patient-provider interaction, patient involvement in their treatment, and ensuring patient adherence to their care.

 

Impact on patient engagement

Factors Influencing Engagement

Many factors influence patients' level of participation in their healthcare, and digital health communication technologies significantly help to define these factors. One of the key factors motivating consumers to utilise digital health products is their capacity for customisation. Customising materials to fit a patient's likes, health issues, and needs has been shown to greatly increase their involvement. People who can establish health objectives, receive tailored reminders, and monitor their development using mobile health applications are more likely, for instance, to remain interested in maintaining their health. When patients get tailored comments such as individualised advice and directions to follow their prescriptions they are more likely to adhere to their treatment programs. Another crucial question is how easily one may access and use the digital tools. Simple, fast to reach tools that are easy to use will help to keep people engaged. Particularly older seniors or those who aren't extremely tech-savvy, interfaces that are too difficult to use or unclear guidance might irritate and lose interest in users. Maintaining their attention also depends critically on a seamless user experience allowing individuals to utilise the tools on many platforms, including computers, cellphones, and tablets. Furthermore, providing 24/7 assistance via customer service or instructional tools might allow individuals especially those who are not accustomed to utilising digital platforms to get active. Prize and extra offerings might also pique people's curiosity. Many applications and digital health solutions incorporate game-like elements, such as point or prize earning for completing tasks connected to health. These characteristics not only make maintaining your health more enjoyable but also provide success, which motivates individuals to keep on continuing. Ultimately, tailored content, user-friendliness, and positive effects cooperate to create an environment that fosters long-term use of digital health communication tools, thus improving the health outcomes.

 

Psychological and Behavioral Aspects

How effective digital health communication platforms are depends much on the psychological and behavioural aspects of patient engagement. Technology is not the only factor influencing engagement; a patient's perspective on their health and treatment plans, what motivates them, and how they feel about them all have great impact. One of the primary psychological elements causing participation in a patient is their feeling of freedom. Patients who believe they control their health are more likely to carry out their treatment plans. Digital health technologies that provide individuals with specifics about their diseases, methods of tracking their development, and means of self-care support a proactive approach to treatment and help to empower individuals. The way a patient behaves usually reflects their value of the digital health technology. People are more inclined to use the instrument routinely if they believe it to be useful. People are more inclined, for instance, to remain using an app if they believe it will help them manage their chronic disease or ensure they take their drugs as advised. Conversely, those who feel that they have too much information or who do not perceive any actual advantages might become less interested. Two psychological elements that greatly affect a patient's level of engagement are motivation and trust. Internal drive like wanting to feel well or take care of a long-term illness lasts most of the time longer than outer rewards. Trust in the digital tool and the healthcare organisation running it is yet another crucial matter. Regular usage of the technology will be more probable among patients who trust it and believe it to be safe and practical. Establishing confidence by being transparent about data protection and platform dependability can help to inspire long-term commitment.

 

Technological Accessibility and User Experience

How easily individuals can use digital health tools and how effectively they interact with other technologies will determine much how well they can include people and increase treatment commitment. Accessibility of digital health technologies refers to their simple reach and usability. It covers things like being able to purchase gadgets, connect to the internet, and have tools on hand. Digital health communication may not be able to increase patient engagement as much in locations or groups of individuals without simple access to applications or fast internet. Therefore, ensuring that everyone has equitable access to technology is a major issue that has to be addressed so that digital health technologies may completely benefit everyone. Patients engage with digital health products via their user experience, or UX. Maintaining patients' curiosity depends on a decent UX. Patients who have an easy-to-understand layout, clear instructions, and minimal entrance obstacles are more likely to routinely utilise digital health products. Simple but effective design should be used in these instruments so that users may quickly access functions like scheduling, tracking of drugs, and monitoring of their success. These platforms should also be tailored for many devices so that users of laptops, cellphones, and PCs all enjoy the same experience. Still another crucial component of the user experience is inclusion. Digital health tools must be created so that many diverse people including those with impairments, elderly persons, and others who struggle with technology may utilise them. Important elements that enable many individuals to use these technologies include voice aid, font size changes, and easily readable content. Supporting users with lessons, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), or customer service can also help them solve any technical issues they may be having, which will lower their anger and keep them interested. Digital health platforms can keep patients involved and on track with their treatment plans by putting an emphasis on both ease of access and a great user experience. This will eventually improve their health results.

 

Impact on treatment adherence

Relationship Between Engagement and Adherence

The link between patient involvement and treatment commitment is a key factor in figuring out how well healthcare measures work. The level of patient involvement is how involved patients are in managing their own healthcare, and the level of treatment commitment is how well patients stick to their treatment plans. Research repeatedly shows that engaged patients are more likely to follow their treatment programs as they are more likely to be motivated by their health objectives and feel like they have the capacity to manage their problems properly. Getting individuals interested depends mostly on digital health communication technologies, which also help them to stay to their therapy. Among the technologies letting consumers monitor their health data, receive medication warnings, and communicate directly with their physicians are mobile health applications, telemedicine platforms, and smart technology. Patients who utilise these tools more often are more involved as they feel more connected to their treatment plans and healthcare team. These instruments also provide patients with individualised comments meant to inspire them to follow their treatment plan. They may be used, for instance, to advise patients on how to manage long-term conditions or to remind them to choose their medications. Studies have shown that those who utilise digital tools providing real-time feedback and instructions are more likely to follow through with their therapy. Apps tracking drug usage and sending notifications, for instance, have demonstrated to assist users avoid missing doses and follow advised prescription intake. Similarly, telemedicine solutions enable physicians to monitor patients remotely and adjust their treatment regimens as necessary, therefore helping patients to remain on target. All things considered, patient participation and treatment commitment are strongly correlated, so digital health communication technologies help to improve both of them.

 

Role of Digital Health Tools in Improving Adherence

These days, digital health tools are essential to enable individuals to follow their treatment programs as they offer numerous characteristics that directly assist those experiencing difficulties following their plans. By means of real-time reminders, tracking systems, and continuous monitoring, these instruments enable patients to better control their diseases and follow through with their therapies. By reminding patients, tracking their symptoms, and providing information about their illness and treatment choices, mobile health applications may enable individuals to take their drugs as advised. Apps designed for those with chronic illnesses, for example, may send push alerts to consumers reminding them to check their vital signs, choose their medication, or schedule a visit with their doctor. These frequent reminders ensure that individuals do not miss any medications and encourage them to follow their regimens. These programs also often include visual cues like health benchmarks or progress charts that keep patients engaged and assist in their adherence to their treatment regimens. By enabling patients to easily contact their physicians, telemedicine systems also enable them to follow their treatment programs. Eliminating the time, geographical, and financial constraints that could interfere with frequent follow-ups, virtual consultations help patients interact with their physicians or other members of their healthcare team from distance. This increases patients' likelihood of showing up for visits, discussing their treatment goals, and seeking assistance as needed, therefore improving their adherence. Doctors may also monitor patients' progress between appointments and modify their treatment programs or provide more aid as required via telemedicine. By providing real-time data about their health such as their heart rate, blood sugar levels, or physical activity wearable technology like fitness trackers or continuous glucose monitors can also help individuals stay to their goals. Constant monitoring allows medical personnel to rapidly intervene if necessary, modify patient treatment programs, or provide motivating support. Since patients are more inclined to follow their treatment programs when they can see actual outcomes and monitor their development, these instruments also help them to feel accountable. By reminding patients, providing assistance, and continuously monitoring them to ensure they are actively engaged in their care, digital health solutions help people stay to their treatment overall.

 

Barriers to Adherence in Digital Health Communication

Digital health communication tools can help people stick with their treatments, but there are some things that can get in the way of how well they work. Some of these hurdles are technical, while others are psychological. Both types can make people less ready or able to use digital tools. One big problem is that not everyone has access to technology. Patients in many poor areas may not have smartphones, computers, or stable internet connections, which makes it hard for them to use digital health tools. Also, some patients may not be able to afford digital health products like monitors or specialised tracking tools, which makes access and equality problems even worse. Patients are less likely to benefit from the notes, tracking features, and help that these platforms offer if they can't get to these tools. This can ultimately affect attendance. Another big problem is not knowing how to use technology. Many patients especially those from lower-income backgrounds or older adults—may lack the confidence or knowledge necessary to utilise digital platforms effectively. Technology unfamiliar to you has unclear instructions or complex interfaces. You may so lose interest and get irritated. If a patient doesn't figure out how to use the technology properly, they can lose out on essential features like reminders to take their meds or monitoring their progress, which can make it tougher for them to follow to their treatment programs. Psychological elements can create adherence challenges. People who utilise digital health tools might not trust the technology or the healthcare provider that created it as they seem intrusive or impersonal. Patients may not utilise digital tools as frequently if they do not trust or feel secure utilising them, therefore lessening their value for promoting attendance. Some patients could also believe that digital tools are the same as in-person care, which would cause them to miss crucial in-person interactions required for therapy to be effective. Concerns regarding privacy and security can also make using digital health tools difficult. Patients who are concerned about data breaches or gaining access without authorisation may not choose to post private health information online. Overcoming this challenge calls for resolving privacy concerns by being open about data security and ensuring adherence to privacy rules.

 

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

According to the research, digital health communication technologies clearly correlate with patient participation and treatment adherence. Particularly when the solutions provided customised alarms, monitoring of progress, and real-time feedback, patients who utilised gadgets, telemedicine platforms, and mobile health applications were more involved. These instruments kept patients informed and involved, which improved following rates particularly in the management of long-term diseases. But problems like not having access to technology, not knowing how to use it properly, and worries about privacy kept people from fully participating. Barriers like limited internet access and gadget availability were especially bad for underserved groups, making digital tools less useful for increasing commitment. Even with these problems, digital health communication tools had a good effect generally.

Table 2 of the Patient Engagement Evaluation shows how different types of patients use digital health tools. Mobile Health App Users have the best engagement rate (85 %) and happiness rate (90 %) of any group. Figure 3 shows how patient groups' involvement, happiness, and usage patterns change across different platforms, showing patterns in how often they connect and how they feel about using them.

 

Table 2. Patient Engagement Evaluation

Patient Group

Engagement Rate (%)

Satisfaction Rate (%)

Consistency in Usage (%)

Mobile Health App Users

85

90

83

Telemedicine Users

78

85

70

Wearable Device Users

80

88

75

Non-Digital Users

45

60

40

 

Figure 3. Comparison of Patient Group Engagement, Satisfaction, and Usage Consistency

 

This means that these users not only find mobile health apps useful, but also find them easy to use and enjoyable. 83 % of users have been using the app consistently over time, which shows that they are constantly using it over time. This is important for better health results through ongoing tracking and feedback. The rate of involvement for telemedicine users is 78 %, and the rate of happiness is 85 %. Telemedicine systems make it easier for people to get medical care, especially those who live in rural areas, but people aren't as constant with their use, as shown by the 70 % consistency rate. This could be because of the need for in-person visits or problems with technology. Figure 4 shows a total split of involvement, happiness, and usage consistency, showing both broad trends and specific places where users interact.

 

Figure 4. Cumulative Breakdown of Engagement, Satisfaction, and Usage Consistency

 

Wearable Tech Wearables are a popular and useful way to keep track of your health, as shown by the 88 % happiness rate and 80 % interest rate of users. But the fact that they are used consistently 75 % of the time says that some people may not use these gadgets very often.

 

Table 3. Treatment Adherence Evaluation

Patient Group

Adherence Rate (%)

Missed Appointments (%)

Medication Compliance (%)

Mobile Health App Users

82

12

85

Telemedicine Users

75

15

80

Wearable Device Users

78

13

83

Non-Digital Users

50

30

55

 

The link between patients using digital health tools and sticking with their treatment is shown in Treatment Adherence Evaluation Table 3,82 % of people who use mobile health apps stick to their plans; only 12 % miss meetings, and 85 % take their medications as prescribed. These numbers show that mobile health apps are a good way to keep track of medications and appointments, which leads to high rates of attendance. The low number of missed appointments shows that these apps help people get in touch with their doctors at the right time. 75 % of people who use telemedicine say they follow through with their plans, with 15 % missing meetings and 80 % taking their medications as prescribed. Figure 5 shows how attendance, missed meetings, and drug compliance vary between patient groups. This shows how healthcare results and behavioural trends are different.

 

Figure 5. Breakdown of Adherence, Missed Appointments, and Medication Compliance Across Patient Groups

 

Even though telemedicine makes healthcare easier to get, the slightly higher rate of missing meetings shows that patients may still have problems, like schedule conflicts or technical issues during talks. Figure 6 displays changes over time in attendance, missed meetings, and drug compliance across different patient groups. This shows how healthcare behaviour can change.

 

Figure 6. Trends in Adherence, Missed Appointments, and Medication Compliance by Patient Group

 

Wearable Tech Users follow through with their treatment 78 % of the time; only 13 % miss meetings and 83 % take their medications as prescribed. Wearables encourage regular health tracking, but the low retention rates show that technology may not always be enough to get patients fully committed.

 

CONCLUSION

Digital health communication is now an important part of modern healthcare. It has a lot of benefits, like making patients more interested in their treatment and more likely to stick with it. The study's results show that digital health tools like wearable tech, telemedicine platforms, and mobile health apps are very important for improving patient engagement because they give patients personalised feedback in real time and let them stay in touch with their doctors. Patients who regularly use these tools are more likely to stick to their treatment plans, which can lead to better health results, especially for those with long-term conditions. Although the advantages are obvious, several issues still need to be addressed before digital health communication technologies may completely realise their possibilities. One of the main issues is that certain groups lack the necessary devices or internet connections, hence lacking access to the technology required to use these sites adequately. Furthermore, many patients’ especially elderly persons and those from lower-income backgrounds still struggle with online abilities. These folks may be less involved and less likely to follow through if they struggle utilising digital technologies. Because they are concerned about their privacy and the protection of their personal medical records, some also do not often utilise these sites. We must simplify technology usage if we want to overcome these challenges. For example, we could make gadgets cheaper or improve the internet in places that don't have enough of it. Healthcare professionals and tech makers should also work on making platforms that are easier for people to use and teach digital skills to help patients find their way around these tools. Transparent data security rules that make digital platforms more trustworthy will also be very important for getting more patients to use them.

 

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FINANCING

It was not received.

 

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

They are not declared.

 

AUTHORSHIP CONTRIBUTION

Conceptualization: Uma Bhardwaj.

Research: Uma Bhardwaj, Malathi. H, Vinima Gambhir.

Methodology: Uma Bhardwaj, Malathi. H, Vinima Gambhir.

Drafting - original draft: Uma Bhardwaj, Malathi. H, Vinima Gambhir, Aurolipy Das, Rapaka Sudhir, Ashmeet Kaur, Anoop Dev.

Writing: Uma Bhardwaj, Malathi. H, Vinima Gambhir, Aurolipy Das, Rapaka Sudhir, Ashmeet Kaur, Anoop Dev.