Patient Perspectives on a Digital Assistant for Medication Reconciliation: An Interview Study Comparing Socioeconomic...

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Health Equity

Background:

• Medication reconciliation is a critical but time-consuming process.
• Digital assistants (DAs) offer potential efficiency gains.
• Vulnerable populations, including low socioeconomic position (SEP) patients, often face exclusion in digital health development, widening the digital divide.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the perceptions and needs of patients across the socioeconomic gradient regarding digital assistant use for medication reconciliation.
• To inform the inclusive design of digital health interventions for diverse patient populations.

Main Methods:

• A participatory design approach was employed.
• Patients from low-, middle-, and high-SEP backgrounds interacted with a developed DA.
• Semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis were conducted to identify patient needs and concerns.

Main Results:

• Seven themes emerged: design, input method, comprehensibility, privacy, benefits, intention to use, and reassurance.
• Patients across all SEP levels desired system feedback to prevent medication entry errors.
• Low-SEP patients preferred structured input methods, while high-SEP patients prioritized security and clarity of function.

Conclusions:

• Involving patients from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds is crucial for developing effective and inclusive digital health tools.
• Recommendations for inclusive DA design are provided to enhance adoption and mitigate the digital divide.