Poster Presenter: Phillip Kremer, MD
Poster Title: Digital Empowerment on Hold: Adoption Gaps in Prescribable Digital Health Applications – A National Cross-Sectional Study from Germany
Poster Session A: 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 26
What is your poster about?
“Our poster is about the current state of digital health application (DiGA) adoption in German rheumatology patients.”
Why did you decide to investigate this topic?
“In Germany, we are going to face a deficit of rheumatologists in the coming years. Therefore, it is necessary to find alternative ways through which patients can interact with their rheumatologist. In this manner, digital medicine becomes even more important. Moreover, many patients suffer from comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety, and metabolic disorders, which significantly contribute to impaired quality of life, healthcare costs, and negative effects on treatment response. Despite the high prevalence of these comorbidities, their management remains suboptimal in routine care. Barriers such as limited access to multidisciplinary care, insufficient integration of mental and physical health services, and geographic or socioeconomic constraints often hinder timely and comprehensive treatment of these comorbidities. Here, DiGA usage could provide a benefit and is recommended by EULAR.”
What are you working on next related to this research?
“Currently I am working on different projects that involve the usage of large language models in improving patient care.”
What excites you most about your work?
“I love rheumatology because of its complexity and the multitude of rare systemic diseases. Patients often have a long medical history, and it takes many years to reach the correct diagnosis. This is where aspects of digitalization can help, speeding up the diagnostic process and improving care.”
What are you most looking forward to at ACR Convergence 2025 in Chicago?
“This is my second ACR Convergence, and I am excited to get in touch with other rheumatologists from all over the world, share thought processes, and discuss all parts of rheumatology.”
Don’t Miss a Session
If you weren’t able to make it to a live session during ACR Convergence 2025 — or you want to revisit a session from the annual meeting — make plans to watch the replay. All registered participants receive on-demand access to scientific sessions after the meeting through October 31, 2026.