Hattingen

Researchers are studying how patients with axial spondyloarthritis respond to two different ways of starting the digital health application (DiGA) Axia, which is used to support their care. The study explores the acceptance and usefulness of a 14-day trial period and an application-related outcome measurement called AbEM. These measures are part of a quality management effort related to the German Digital Act (DigiG) to improve routine prescription of Axia. Participants will receive one of two onboarding brochures in equal numbers. One brochure guides patients through the standard process, where the app can only be used after receiving an activation code from their health insurance. The other brochure offers immediate access to a 14-day trial of Axia via a QR code, allowing use before the activation code arrives. The study compares how often patients redeem the app voucher and activate the app between these two groups. During the study, researchers will collect anonymous data on app use and responses to a short five-item questionnaire at weeks 6 and 12 to understand patient experiences and outcomes. The main measure is the percentage of participants who successfully activate the Axia app within 12 weeks. This real-world study helps evaluate how the different onboarding methods affect app use and patient acceptance over time.