ESPE Abstracts

Background: Treatment of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) requires daily injections over many years. Connected digital health devices can facilitate GH treatment by automating the injection process, which reduces anxiety, and collecting injection data in real-time so that accurate adherence information is available to healthcare professionals (HCPs). In developing new digital health solutions, HCP perspectives should be considered.

Aim: To evaluate the next generation easypod® (EP) device (EP3) for the delivery of recombinant human GH (r-hGH) treatment from the HCP perspective, with a focus on usability, data-enabled insights, and usefulness compared with EP2.

Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods participatory workshop (comprising five phases) in Paris, France, to assess the EP3 device, which is currently in development. Participants included HCPs experienced in the management of GH treatment in paediatric patients, regardless of their previous EP experience. Predefined questions and specific case studies were discussed as part of group activities. In addition, participants individually completed a 25-item, 5-scale Likert questionnaire to assess the impact EP3 may have on usability and usefulness for HCPs, caregivers and patients.

Results: Ten HCPs (six paediatric endocrinologists and four nurses) participated in the workshop. Participants perceived the automatic transmission of data as the most significant improvement of EP3, as real-time adherence data could improve treatment monitoring to allow for telemedicine appointments between clinic visits, enabling more personalised care for patients. As data privacy is paramount, participants valued the ability to deactivate the automatic data transmission functionality. The larger and touchscreen interface on the EP3 device was considered a substantial improvement by participants, stating that it is intuitive, very responsive and enables improved visualisation and the use of pictograms, which facilitate the training and usability of the device. The ability to personalise some visual elements was perceived positively by participants but including more personalised features could lead to further patient engagement and, subsequently, improved adherence.

Conclusion: HCPs rated the new capabilities of the EP3 device, such as usability and data transmission, highly, concurring that it was easier to use, easier to learn and easier to teach compared with EP2. EP3 will enhance clinical decision making and will allow for a more individualised approach in paediatric patients receiving r-hGH for growth disorders.