Uncovering Nurses' and Patients' Preferences and Perceptions of Rebismart® 3.0 Autoinjector Versus Other Assistive Devices in Multiple Sclerosis

Introduction RebiSmart®is an electronic, multidose autoinjector developed for administrating subcutaneous interferon beta-1a in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). It provides several benefits, including a reduced risk of injection site reactions, reduced discomfort, and greater ease of use versus manual syringe injections. Here, we report the results of an online survey aimed to understand patients’ and nurses’ preferences and perspectives on the features of an upgraded version of RebiSmart®device (RebiSmart®3.0) compared to other assistive devices used with MS therapies. Material(s) and Method(s) Eligible MS patients and MS nurses from Germany, Italy and United Kingdom completed a double-blinded, 30-minute online self-administered questionnaire including a 10-minute video describing the RebiSmart®3.0 features and use for administering interferon beta-1a. The survey questionnaire was designed to gather respondents’ initial reactions to the RebiSmart®3.0 features and use, identify potential RebiSmart®3.0 characteristics having a clear benefit compared to other assistive devices, as well as identify perceived educational gaps to be addressed to ensure transition to RebiSmart®3.0 from the current self-assistive device, including the RebiSmart®2.0. MS patients with self-administered injectable treatment experience including current and recent users of RebiSmart® 2.0 were eligible. Nurses who had spent majority of time treating MS patients and had ≥3 years of experience in initiating, educating, or managing MS patients on self-administration injectable treatments were eligible. Result(s) A total of 102 participants (patients, n=50; nurses, n=52) completed the survey. Overall, 70% of all respondents found the RebiSmart®3.0 device ‘very’/’extremely’ appealing, 53% were ‘very’/’extremely’ interested in learning more and 71% stated they would be ‘very’/’extremely’ comfortable using/educating patients on this device. Respondents ranked customisable injection process, self-injection process and hidden needle as the three most important self-assistive device features. RebiSmart®3.0 was rated higher than other self-injecting devices on all tested features (Fig 1). RebiSmart®2.0 users reported higher performance levels for RebiSmart®3.0 compared to 2.0. Following review of the video, 52% respondents had no questions. 67% nurses recommended providing more information on the customisable injection process feature of RebiSmart®3.0 to patients (Fig 2). The majority (88%) of nurses considered patient demonstration materials to be the most helpful mode of information. Conclusion(s) MS nurses and patients reported three device features: the customizable injection process, the self-injection process, and the hidden needle as the most important features that determines their satisfaction with the device. The overall reactions of both nurses and patients to the RebiSmart®3.0 device features were positive with nurses having an overall more positive initial reaction to the device. Both nurses and patients, including current and recent users of RebiSmart®2.0, rated RebiSmart®3.0 performance higher on nearly all tested features in comparison to other self-injecting devices.