Digital health: how can technology be used to engage hard-to-reach patients?

Helping someone live with a condition as complex as MS can be fraught with challenges. MS professionals are asked to manage multiple physical and psychological symptoms while following complicated drug monitoring regimes, all in the face of shirking resources and growing caseloads. As the burden of monitoring people on disease modifying therapies has grown, a corresponding lack of resource for symptom management has led to inequity of services for those with progressive disease. Across the UK, however, technology is being used to overcome these obstacles, by erasing geographic boundaries and expanding access. From conducting video consultations to setting up online peer support groups, digital health can and is being utilised to improve services for everyone. As part of the Quality in the Delivery of Services (QuDoS) in MS recognition programme, a panel of experts will discuss how to meet the information, support and engagement needs of people living with MS through technology. The live webinar, produced by pharmaphorum with the support of the MS Trust and Biogen, will feature the views of patients and professionals alike. The panel, which will include Jo Sopala, Director of Development at the MS Trust, will discuss using digital health to: -Increase patient access to quality, trusted information through digital translation services -Offer greater support through online peer support and symptom management apps -Boost adherence through electronic reminder systems -Increase involvement in clinical trials through wearable technologies -Increase access to services through remote appointments