Perspectives on remote monitoring technology of South Asians living with a long-term condition in the United Kingdom: a qualitative study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND South Asians face a higher burden of long-term conditions, while also experiencing more inequities in healthcare access and outcomes. Despite the potential of remote monitoring technologies to improve management of long-term conditions, South Asians are less likely to engage with digital health interventions and are underrepresented in health research, partly due to language barriers. OBJECTIVE This study explored the perspectives and needs regarding remote monitoring technologies of South Asians living with a long-term condition in the United Kingdom who did not have English as their first language. We used rheumatoid arthritis and early inflammatory arthritis as example long-term conditions. METHODS We conducted semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with Pakistani adults diagnosed with rheumatoid or early inflammatory arthritis and who did not have English as their first language. Audio-recordings were transcribed verbatim, de-identified, and analysed thematically. RESULTS Seventeen adults participated in this study; none of them had previous experience of remote monitoring technologies. We identified three themes: (a) perceived value and challenges of using remote monitoring technologies for disease (self-) management; (b) differences in perceived needs and capacity for using remote monitoring technologies between first and later-generation immigrants related to social determinants; and (c) role of community and family support for using remote monitoring technologies. Participants perceived remote monitoring technologies as useful, in particular where they were dissatisfied with current healthcare services. Language and family and community members’ role in supporting technology use were considered important factors, but needs in these areas varied between first and second/third generation immigrants. In particular for first-generation immigrants, these factors intersected with other social and digital determinants, such as gender and literacy, resulting in additional requirements. CONCLUSIONS Addressing language and literacy barriers, alongside leveraging family and community support, will contribute to equitable remote monitoring technologies to facilitate (self-) managing long-term conditions among South Asian ethnic minority groups. Future efforts should focus on developing tailored, culturally responsive approaches, particularly for first-generation immigrants, to ensure remote monitoring technologies decrease rather than exacerbate existing ethnic health inequities. CLINICALTRIAL Not applicable