Evaluating health technology engagement among family caregivers of patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation

PURPOSE: Digital health technology-based interventions have the potential to support caregivers in their caregiving responsibilities and in managing their own health and well-being. Designing digital health technologies to support caregivers of patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation requires evaluating their engagement with these technologies. The objective of this study was to examine the association between caregiving characteristics and different types of digital health technologies used. METHODS: We conducted an online cross-sectional, national survey of 948 unpaid family caregivers of patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation. RESULTS: Almost two-thirds (65.4%) of respondents reported using an app for fitness or step counting, while 41.3% reported using a smartwatch. The average number of apps used was 3.3 (range 0-9). In adjusted models, adult children who were caregivers (OR=5.82, p<0.005) and caregivers of another relative (OR=2.51, p<0.005) were significantly more likely to use a fitness tracker than caregivers of a child. Caregiving for six months or greater was associated with use of fewer apps compared with caregiving for less than six months in adjusted models (OR=0.80, p<0.005). Caregivers of patients receiving an allogeneic transplant used more apps on average than caregivers of patients receiving an autologous transplant, in adjusted (OR=1.36, p<0.005) models. CONCLUSION: Digital health technologies may reflect promising avenues for supporting caregivers of patients undergoing HCT. The rapid insurgence of telehealth, propelled by the current COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizes the need for a better understanding of digital health technology for future study design.