User Needs, Preferences and Supporting Factors for the Development of an Rheumatology Interactive Health Communication Application
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Abstract
Background: The potential of Interactive Health Communication Applications (IHCA’s) to improve health care has been acknowledged and the development of online health applications is quickly evolving. However, up to present not all applications are accepted and used equally by patients and health professionals. Therefore, we intend to develop a hospital-based rheumatology IHCA from a user-centered perspective.
Objective: The aim of the present study was to get a complete overview of needs, preferences and supporting factors of both patients and health professionals.
Methods: We conducted an interview study among 18 patients with rheumatic diseases, mainly to get insight in the motives patients have for use and/or nonuse of several health related internet applications. Questions included patients’ current disease related internet use and their motivation and preconditions for the use of seven different support tools: (1) disease and treatment information, (2) care and support information, (3) peer communication, (4) patient-provider communication, (5) symptom monitoring, (6) self-management support and (7) access to an online personal health record. A second qualitative needs assessment is currently being conducted among health professionals, to map their vision on possibilities and barriers for a rheumatology IHCA. Questions include health professionals’ current work related internet use, their experiences with the influence of the internet on consults, and their views on the benefits and barriers of the seven support tools within their current care.
Results: The interviewed patients were enthusiastic about a rheumatology IHCA. Their current disease related internet use was mainly limited to searching disease and treatment information, but they reported high interest in the tools care and support information, patient-provider communication and access to an online personal health record. Furthermore they provided an extensive overview of preconditions that should be fulfilled in order for them to use the IHCA. Data of the qualitative needs assessment among health professionals is currently being processed and results will be available at the moment of presentation.
Conclusions: Our results reveal a discrepancy between the low current health-related internet use and the high interest to use online support tools offered by the hospital. Patients are especially positive about the option of access to an online personal health record. Therefore, the development of a rheumatology IHCA seems useful. With the clear overview of needs, preferences and intentions to use of patients and the data on possibilities and barriers according to health professionals we intend to enhance the use and acceptation of the application.
Objective: The aim of the present study was to get a complete overview of needs, preferences and supporting factors of both patients and health professionals.
Methods: We conducted an interview study among 18 patients with rheumatic diseases, mainly to get insight in the motives patients have for use and/or nonuse of several health related internet applications. Questions included patients’ current disease related internet use and their motivation and preconditions for the use of seven different support tools: (1) disease and treatment information, (2) care and support information, (3) peer communication, (4) patient-provider communication, (5) symptom monitoring, (6) self-management support and (7) access to an online personal health record. A second qualitative needs assessment is currently being conducted among health professionals, to map their vision on possibilities and barriers for a rheumatology IHCA. Questions include health professionals’ current work related internet use, their experiences with the influence of the internet on consults, and their views on the benefits and barriers of the seven support tools within their current care.
Results: The interviewed patients were enthusiastic about a rheumatology IHCA. Their current disease related internet use was mainly limited to searching disease and treatment information, but they reported high interest in the tools care and support information, patient-provider communication and access to an online personal health record. Furthermore they provided an extensive overview of preconditions that should be fulfilled in order for them to use the IHCA. Data of the qualitative needs assessment among health professionals is currently being processed and results will be available at the moment of presentation.
Conclusions: Our results reveal a discrepancy between the low current health-related internet use and the high interest to use online support tools offered by the hospital. Patients are especially positive about the option of access to an online personal health record. Therefore, the development of a rheumatology IHCA seems useful. With the clear overview of needs, preferences and intentions to use of patients and the data on possibilities and barriers according to health professionals we intend to enhance the use and acceptation of the application.
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