From Information to Empowerment: How Patients Are Using Technology to Manage Their Health
Evidence for Change Series: Immunology in Focus
Digital technologies are transforming how patients manage immunological conditions, enabling greater autonomy, real-time symptom tracking, and personalized care.
Globally, there is a marked rise in the use of mobile health apps, wearable devices, and AI-powered platforms that support disease monitoring and treatment adherence. These tools empower patients to make informed decisions, improve communication with healthcare providers, and reduce reliance on in-person visits.
However, not all digital tools are created equally—thoughtful, inclusive, and patient-centered design that leverages behavioral science is key to developing digital solutions that optimize adherence and treatment engagement in those living with chronic health conditions.
Evidence for Change Series: Immunology in Focus
Digital technologies are transforming how patients manage immunological conditions, enabling greater autonomy, real-time symptom tracking, and personalized care.
Globally, there is a marked rise in the use of mobile health apps, wearable devices, and AI-powered platforms that support disease monitoring and treatment adherence. These tools empower patients to make informed decisions, improve communication with healthcare providers, and reduce reliance on in-person visits.
However, not all digital tools are created equally—thoughtful, inclusive, and patient-centered design that leverages behavioral science is key to developing digital solutions that optimize adherence and treatment engagement in those living with chronic health conditions.
Optimizing Immunology Patient Support
Our findings reveal new and current insights into how patients living with autoimmune conditions use digital technology to support their self-management. They demonstrate the need to provide targeted, personalized, and holistic patient support for those with autoimmune conditions on digital platforms that harness the power of behavioral science.
As part of immunology patient support programs, digital tools should be designed using the latest behavioral science and health psychology insights for better patient engagement. Optimizing immunology patient support programs this way will enable and empower those living with autoimmune conditions to Change for Good
To learn more about how digital tools are reshaping patient engagement and how your organization can leverage these insights, contact Dr Kate Perry—our Global Head of Behavioral Science and Lead Researcher—for a 30-minute online discussion: Click Here to contact Kate and request a meeting and receive a free copy of our study report.
Read about our expertise & behavioral science insights.
Introduction
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At Atlantis Health, we’re dedicated to engaging and supporting patients in actively managing their condition and treatment. Central to this is our commitment to embedding the patient perspective into everything we do, using original research to deepen our understanding of real-world experiences and unmet needs.
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Through our ongoing Evidence for Change research initiative, we gathered insights from 152 individuals across the globe, living with autoimmune diseases, to better understand their daily experiences and uncover opportunities for more meaningful support.
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This research used a mixed-methods, observational design, blending validated psychological scales with open-ended responses to generate both measurable data and rich personal insights.
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For a full breakdown of our methodology and participant profile, take a look at our detailed post here.
Use of Disease Management Technology is the Norm
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Digital tools have become deeply integrated into everyday life—including how people manage chronic health conditions. In our study, over 90% of participants reported using some form of digital technology to help manage their autoimmune disease.
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Those who do not use technology for disease management were typically diagnosed 10 to 20 years ago, suggesting they may have developed alternative routines before digital tools became widely available.
How Patients Use Technology—Practical First, Emotional Later
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The most common use of technology among patients was searching online for information about their condition or treatment—highlighting the importance of reliable, accessible, and accurate digital health content.
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Many also used technology for practical tasks like scheduling appointments, managing medication refills, tracking symptoms, communicating with healthcare providers, and connecting with others who share similar experiences.
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In contrast, fewer patients reported using technology for emotional or mental health support, such as wellness apps or mindfulness tools.
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This may reflect a perception of technology as more functional than emotionally supportive. However, newer tools—like chatbots and digital humans—are beginning to bridge this gap by offering more empathetic, human-like interactions.
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These technologies can empower patients by offering greater autonomy and helping to reduce pressure on healthcare systems.
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That said, it’s essential that such tools are ethically designed and responsive to real patient needs, ensuring they are inclusive, safe, and supportive for all users.
Implications for Patient Engagement
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Digital technology is now a central part of disease management for most patients, offering practical support that makes health routines more efficient and connected.
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In this study, the types of tools used and the frequency of use among people with autoimmune conditions closely mirrored what we observed in our cancer sample—reinforcing the validity of these findings and suggesting that digital engagement patterns may be generalizable across disease areas, not just condition-specific.
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While emotional support features are still gaining traction, emerging tools like chatbots and digital humans are beginning to bridge the gap between functional and emotional needs. As these innovations evolve, their impact will depend not just on what they do, but how well they respond to the full spectrum of patient experiences.
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Thoughtful, inclusive design is key to ensuring these tools truly empower all patients, no matter their diagnosis. As we consider the future of digital health, it’s clear that platforms designed with and for patients will be key to delivering truly meaningful support.
Modernizing Patient Care—A Platform Aligned with Today's Digital Health
"Our research demonstrates that people living with autoimmune conditions are open to, and often ahead in, adopting digital tools to support their care. This presents a valuable opportunity to design engagement solutions that truly resonate with how patients live, learn, and manage their health.
Our patient-centric platform is built to reflect this evolution—bringing together key digital health trends with behavioral science to support better outcomes. As a scalable and secure platform, it delivers personalized, evidence-based journeys and access to a curated digital library of health literate and interactive content. Patients can connect through the channels that suit them best, including SMS, email, MMS, voice, mobile, and desktop—meeting patients where they are."
"We’re also embracing AI-powered tools to enhance personalization, anticipate needs through behavioral insights, and create more adaptive, responsive journeys. By continuing to evolve our platform based on patient experience and feedback, we’re working to improve not only engagement, but long-term health outcomes and partnerships across the healthcare ecosystem."
—Jose Seibt, Atlantis Health US/EU Senior Digital Sales Engineer