Population-based user-perceived experience of : a novel digital symptom-checker in rheumatology.

OBJECTIVE

Digital symptom-checkers (SCs) have potential to improve rheumatology triage and reduce diagnostic delays. In addition to being accurate, SCs should be user friendly and meet patient's needs. Here, we examined usability and acceptance of -a new and freely available online SC (currently with >44 000 users)-in a real-world setting.

METHODS

Study participants were recruited from an ongoing prospective study, and included people ≥18 years with musculoskeletal complaints completing online. The user experience survey comprised five usability and acceptability questions (11-point rating scale), and an open-ended question regarding improvement of Data were analysed in R using t-test or Wilcoxon rank test (group comparisons), or linear regression (continuous variables).

RESULTS

A total of 12 712 people completed the user experience survey. The study population had a normal age distribution, with a peak at 50-59 years, and 78% women. A majority found useful (78%), thought the questionnaire gave them an opportunity to describe their complaints well (76%), and would recommend to friends and other patients (74%). Main shortcoming was that 36% thought there were too many questions. Still, 39% suggested more detailed questions, and only 2% suggested a reduction of questions.

CONCLUSION

Based on real-world data from the largest user evaluation study of a digital SC in rheumatology, we conclude that is well accepted by women and men with rheumatic complaints, in all investigated age groups. Wide-scale adoption of , therefore, seems feasible, with promising scientific and clinical implications on the horizon.