Tailoring Technology for Pain Management: A Qualitative Comparison of Digital Health Platforms

Abstract

Introduction

Chronic pain management has seen a surge in digital technologies promising improved outcomes, efficiency, and revenue. However, the diverse functionalities and focus areas of these platforms make choosing the right one a critical healthcare decision. This study compares 10 popular platforms to delineate their unique capabilities.

Materials and Methods

The author searched online for “Telehealth OR mHealth OR mHealth OR app AND remote therapeutic monitoring AND chronic care management OR pain OR chronic pain.” Platforms that were not provider-facing and reimbursement-friendly were excluded. Ten platforms (PainScript, Keet Health, Prevounce Health, PatchRx, HealthArc, TimeDoc, Paindrainer, HealthViewX, Limber, and PainScored) were evaluated by primary focus, key features, user interface, integration capabilities, healthcare models supported, and unique offerings. Information was collated from official product websites and relevant literature.

Results

Functional comparisons included targeted populations, daily monitoring categories and types of monitoring for each platform. Technical capabilities were also compared and included use and type of smartphone required, presences of secure messaging, gamification, EHR integration and patient time commitment for meeting the platform expectations. Comparisons will be presented in table format.

Conclusions

This is the first known qualitative study comparing digital platforms for clinical pain management. Reviewed platforms offered varied functionalities tailored to specific needs. PainScript and Paindrainer specifically targeted chronic pain and substance use disorder, facilitating direct patient-provider interaction and real-time monitoring. HealthViewX and Limber offered broader services in telehealth and physical therapy with strong emphases on integration and comprehensive care coordination. Keet Health and TimeDoc sought to enhance patient engagement and outpatient care continuity. Prevounce Health and PainScored prioritized preventive care and chronic disease management to streamline care processes and improve patient compliance. Lastly, PatchRx introduced innovative medication adherence technology, illustrating the potential of digital solutions to address common drug misuse challenges. Choice of a digital health platform should be guided by the specific patient population needs and operational workflow.