Research Article: Awareness, attitudes, and experiences of using digital health services among patients with chronic diseases at King Abdulaziz Medical City
Abstract:
Digital health technologies have transformed chronic disease management by supporting remote monitoring, personalized care, and improved communication between patients and healthcare providers. Applications such as mobile health platforms, telemedicine, and wearable devices can enhance self-management and continuity of care for individuals with chronic illnesses. In Saudi Arabia, digital health platforms, including Sehhaty, have been introduced to improve healthcare accessibility; however, patient utilization remains suboptimal.
This study aimed to assess patients’ awareness, attitudes, and experiences regarding the use of digital health services among individuals living with chronic diseases.
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with confirmed chronic illnesses attending outpatient clinics at King Abdulaziz Medical City. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, awareness, experience, digital health utilization patterns, and attitudes toward digital health application use. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed to identify factors associated with awareness and attitudes.
Nearly half of the participants (45.5%) demonstrated low digital health awareness, while 50.6% exhibited positive attitudes toward digital health applications. Sehhaty was the most commonly used application (38.9%), and 68.5% used the internet to obtain health-related information. Digital health awareness was strongly positively correlated with attitudes toward digital health applications ( r =?0.693, p <?0.001). Higher awareness, use of digital health applications, internet use for health information, and younger age were significant predictors of more positive attitudes ( p <?0.05).
Nearly half of the patients with chronic illnesses demonstrated low digital health awareness, although attitudes toward digital health applications were generally positive. Enhancing digital literacy and integrating digital health education into routine care may improve the adoption and effective use of digital health technologies in chronic disease management.
Introduction:
Digital health technologies have transformed chronic disease management by supporting remote monitoring, personalized care, and improved communication between patients and healthcare providers. Applications such as mobile health platforms, telemedicine, and wearable devices can enhance self-management and continuity of care for individuals with chronic illnesses. In Saudi Arabia, digital health platforms, including Sehhaty, have been introduced to improve healthcare accessibility; however, patient utilization…
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