A model to assess the impact of digital technologies on the health-related quality of life

Objectives: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a vital instrument to account for individuals’ well-being in various settings. However, no model of HRQoL allows for examining the effect of digital technology on HRQoL. Therefore, we extend an established HRQoL model by adding a digital technology-related construct. We refer to this extension as the technology-affected health-related quality of life (TA-HRQoL). Methods: We investigate the extended TA-HRQoL model through a survey. In the survey, we exemplify the use of digital technology through a device for self-managing bladder dysfunction. Hence, we explore whether the model extension proposed is valid and how determinants of the HRQoL affect patients with bladder dysfunction. Results: The results indicate that the use of digital technology improves the HRQoL. In our exemplary use scenario, the digital technology decreases bladder-related functional impairments and increases well-being and life satisfaction directly. Conclusions: Our study may provide evidence for the influence of digital technologies on the HRQoL, thus supporting our model extension. We consider our proposed TA-HRQoL model as valid and as useful to account for the influence of digital technology on an individual’s HRQoL. With the TA-HRQoL model, the impact of a digital technology on an individual’s HRQoL can be assessed.