Abstract

Objective: In Germany, approximately 30 million people suffer from hypertension. Digital applications, such as apps, can assist individuals with hypertension in monitoring their blood pressure at home or in adhering to therapy and medication. However, healthcare professionals, such as doctors, only sporadically provide recommendations for hypertension apps. A qualitative survey has already identified the advantages, challenges, and information needs of cardiologists, which are now intended to be validated through the data from a quantitative cross-sectional study. Design and method: From October 2023 to January 2024, a quantitative, standardized questionnaire survey was conducted with cardiologists. Access to cardiologists was facilitated through the Bundesverband Niedergelassener Kardiologen (BNK - Federal Association of Outpatient Cardiologists). Participating physicians received compensation amounting to €75. The survey was conducted online using the Unipark software. Cardiologists were able to assess the advantages, disadvantages, and information needs of hypertension apps using 5-point Likert scales and free-text responses. The study is part of the innovation fund project DiPaH and has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Brandenburg Medical School (E-02-20220620). Results: The questionnaire survey is currently ongoing. The target is to include 200 cardiologists. Descriptive analysis will be conducted in January 2024. The first presentation of quantitative results will take place at the 33rd European Meeting on Hypertension and Cardiovascular Protection. Conclusions: Cardiologists could only participate online, potentially leading to a positive bias in the data towards digitally savvy physicians who may have taken part in the online survey. Nevertheless, these are the first and most comprehensive results regarding the attitudes of cardiologists towards apps in hypertension care, providing practical implications for a successful implementation of apps in hypertension management.

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