Participatory Study to Explore Healthcare Professionals’ Perceptions of a Connected Digital Solution for Adherence Monitoring of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone Treatment: Study Protocol and First Findings

Abstract

Adherence to recombinant human growth hormone (r-hGH; somatropin, [Saizen®], Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany) treatment is fundamental to achieve positive growth outcomes in children with growth disorders and to improve quality of life and cardiometabolic risk in adult patients affected by GH deficiency. Pen injector devices are commonly used to deliver r-hGH but, to the authors' knowledge, none is currently digitally connected. Since digital health solutions are rapidly becoming valuable tools to support patients to adhere to treatment, the combination of a pen injector connected to a digital ecosystem to monitor treatment adherence is an important advance. Here, we present the methodology and first results of a participatory workshop that assessed clinicians' perceptions on such a digital solution - the aluetta™ smartdot™ (Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany) - combining the aluetta™ pen injector and a connected device, components of a comprehensive digital health ecosystem to support pediatric patients receiving r-hGH treatment. The aim being to highlight the importance of collecting clinically meaningful and accurate real-world adherence data to support data-driven healthcare.