A multicenter, prospective, observational study to assess the satisfaction of an integrated digital platform of online medical care and remote patient monitoring in Parkinson's disease

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Background As motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) progress, visits to medical clinics for patients and caregivers become burdensome. Aim The aim of this study is to examine satisfaction with an integrated digital platform (online medical examination, online medication instruction, drug delivery, and remote patient monitoring) in PD. Methods This multicenter, prospective, observational pilot study (July 2020–March 2021), comprising face‐to‐face (weeks 0–4) and online (weeks 5–16) periods, included patients with PD aged ≥20 years capable of visiting a clinic. PD symptoms were collected via a smartwatch and mobile phone. Patient‐assessed (primary objective) and caregiver‐ and physician‐assessed (secondary objectives) satisfaction was evaluated using the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire‐8 (CSQ‐8) and a self‐completed questionnaire, respectively. Changes in patient and caregiver burden were also assessed (exploratory objective). Results Thirty patients, 15 caregivers, and six physicians participated. The mean (SD) age of patients was 66.7 (8.5) years, 63.3% were male, mean (SD) duration of disease was 8.04 (5.4) years. CSQ‐8 total mean (SD) score was 25.6 (3.06), 25.7 (3.05), and 23.2 (3.96) at week 0 (n = 30), week 4 (n = 30), and week 16 (n = 29), respectively. Assessment of the individual components of the digital platform indicated a degree of satisfaction with online medical examination and online medication instruction and drug delivery; satisfaction with remote patient monitoring was moderate. During the online period, patient and caregiver burdens were reduced. Conclusion Patients, caregivers, and physicians were satisfied with the integrated digital platform. Future research to prove the medical usefulness of this platform is required.