The information platform embryotox.de in routine healthcare – an evaluation project

Introduction Since 2008, the website embryotox.de provides evidence-based information on medication during pregnancy and lactation. Fact sheets with details on risks and benefits of approx. 400 drugs support rational drug therapy and risk assessment in this vulnerable population. Considering pertinent research, embryotox.de is regularly updated by the interdisciplinary team of the Embryotox Center of Clinical Teratology and Drug Safety in Pregnancy, Charité Berlin. On average, around 10.000 user visit embryotox.de per day; in 2022 over 3.7 million visitors were counted. Embryotox.de works free of charge and independent of the pharmaceutical industry. We present preliminary data of an evaluation project investigating the use and specific role of embryotox.de in routine healthcare.

Methods User feedback is obtained by 1) two different online questionnaires placed on selected drug fact sheets for six months, 2) semi-structured phone interviews and focus group discussion. The first online questionnaire includes questions on user characteristics, modality of use, clinical circumstances, comprehensibility and changes in risk assessment or drug therapy following fact sheet information. A second questionnaire concerns the use of embryotox.de in the process of shared decision-making. Interviews and discussion group focus on usability of embryotox.de in routine healthcare and capture user"s perspectives on advantages and benefits, potential barriers, and possibilities for improvement. Questionnaire data are analysed quantitatively using descriptive statistics; the results of interviews and focus group are evaluated by qualitative content analysis.

Results The first online questionnaire was filled in by more than 14.500 users (patients n≈10.860, physicians n≈1.676, pharmacists n≈550, midwives n≈364, others n≈1.112), providing the basis for targeted analysis. A total of 41 semi-structured interviews were conducted with four main user groups. The qualitative content analysis of individual interviews and of the focus group discussion revealed a differentiated picture of how embryotox.de is used. It provided, in addition, relevant feedback details by each user group. Data acquisition regarding the function of embryotox.de in shared decision-making is ongoing (June 1st, 2023).

Discussion Embryotox.de aims to provide comprehensive clinically relevant information for health care professionals as well as for patients. It thereby provides the basis for shared decision-making on medication during pregnancy and lactation. The insights gained through this ongoing project will be helpful to further develop and optimize embryotox.de as a user-oriented information platform.

Funding Innovation Fund of the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA), funding code: 01VSF20010.

 

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Publication History

Article published online:
15 November 2023