Digital health platforms expand access and improve care for male androgenetic alopecia.

INTRODUCTION

Digital health solutions, specifically direct-to-consumer platforms, have been touted to make care accessible and convenient for patients. The aim of this article is to evaluate patients' reported reasons for choosing a platform for the treatment of hair loss and their experience. This platform (Keeps) is focused exclusively on the treatment of male pattern hair loss (MPHL) with approved medications such as oral finasteride and topical minoxidil.

METHODS

In order to evaluate patients' motivations to choose the platform and their experience, we administered two distinct questionnaires, with a total of 8983 respondents.

RESULTS

The results showed that patients on the platform report positive health outcomes at approximately 6 months, as 81% of respondents report hair regrowth or cessation of hair loss, and 91% never or rarely miss their medication. Additionally, the platform is expanding the market through education and awareness, as nearly 1 in 3 new patients, mostly in their 20s and early 30s, had never considered treating their hair loss before learning about this virtual care model.

CONCLUSION

Such a model provides further insights into how digitally enabled care focused on a chronic condition, backed by quality and evidence-based initiatives, can expand access and improve care for androgenetic alopecia (AGA).