Factors Influencing the Intentions of Patients With Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases to Use a Digital Human for Medication Information: Qualitative Study

Background Introduction: Patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs) frequently experience drug-related problems (DRPs). DRPs can have negative health consequences and should be addressed promptly to prevent complications. A digital human, which is an embodied conversational agent, could provide medication-related information in a time- and place-independent manner to support patients in preventing and decreasing DRPs. Objective This study aims to identify factors that influence the intention of patients with IRDs to use a digital human to retrieve medication-related information. Methods A qualitative study with 3 in-person focus groups was conducted among adult patients diagnosed with an IRD in the Netherlands. The prototype of a digital human is an innovative tool that provides spoken answers to medication-related questions and provides information linked to the topic, such as (instructional) videos, drug leaflets, and other relevant sources. Before the focus group, participants completed a preparatory exercise at home to become familiar with the digital human. A semistructured interview guide based on the Proctor framework for implementation determinants was used to interview participants about the acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, costs, feasibility, fidelity, penetration, and sustainability of the digital human. Focus groups were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically. Results The participants included 22 patients, with a median age of 68 (IQR 52-75) years, of whom 64% (n=22) were female. In total, 6 themes describing factors influencing patients’ intention to use a digital human were identified: (1) the degree to which individual needs for medication-related information are met; (2) confidence in one’s ability to use the digital human; (3) the degree to which using the digital human resembles interacting with a human; (4) technical functioning of the digital human; (5) privacy and security; and (6) expected benefit of using the digital human. Conclusions The intention of patients with IRDs to use a novel digital human to retrieve medication-related information was influenced by factors related to each patient’s information needs and confidence in their ability to use the digital human, features of the digital human, and the expected benefits of using the digital human. These identified themes should be considered during the further development of the digital human and during implementation to increase intention to use and future adoption. Thereafter, the effect of applying a digital human as an instrument to improve patients’ self-management regarding DRPs could be researched.