Maddalena Fiordelli*, University of Lugano, Institute of Communication & Health, Lugano, Switzerland Sarah Mantwill, University of Lugano, Institute of Communication & Health, Lugano, Switzerland Ramona Ludolph, University of Lugano, Institute of Communication & Health, Lugano, Switzerland Alexander Pabst, 1 Helmholtz Zentrum München - Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt, Neuherberg, Germany Track: Research Presentation Topic: Consumer empowerment, patient-physician relationship, and sociotechnical issues Presentation Type: Poster presentation Submission Type: Single Presentation Last modified: 2014-09-01

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Background: The word “Empowerment“ has recently become one of the most important buzzwords in healthcare services. A empowered patient is considered to be actively involved in his disease management and eventually becomes a better self-manager. Therefore this concept has become particularly relevant for patients suffering from chronic diseases, since empowerment has the potential to facilitate their disease management which eventually will lead to better health outcomes.

Objective: Funded by the European Commission (FP7-ICT-2011-288209) a web based platform (including a mobile application) has been developed, which aims at supporting self-management activities of diabetic patients and their treating physicians at two test sites in Germany and Turkey. The platform semantically integrates multiple information sources, such as electronic and personal health records. Patients are able to register patterns of daily living, record blood glucose levels, design disease management plans and set long- and short-term goals. The project intends to actively involve the treating physician. He/she has the possibility to set recommendations for the patient on the platform and is able to monitor the progress of the patient.
The objective of the study at hand is to evaluate whether an online tool that systematically integrates multiple information sources, including physicians` recommendations, will improve patient empowerment and which impact it will have on constructive and destructive self-management activities in diabetic patients.

Method: The test-phase of the platform is split into two phases. The first phase has been recently concluded. Aim was to pre-test the platform by evaluating usability, usefulness and acceptance.
In a second phase patients will be assigned to an intervention group and a control group. Data will be collected at baseline and 2.5 months after the intervention started. In addition, qualitative interviews will be regularly conducted to collect extra information on usability and usefulness.
Patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes and their treating physicians will be recruited from the two test sites. Participants have to have access to internet via computer and/or mobile phone.
Outcome measures include amongst others the Problem Areas in Diabetes questionnaire (PAID), the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities and scales evaluating doctor-patient interaction. Based on the theoretical framework, measures on health literacy are also included, given that it is hypothesized that health literacy might be a moderator. In addition, physiological parameters, such as physical activity or blood glucose levels will be collected via the platform.
Further, log files and number of logins will serve as independent variables.

Results: Primary statistical analysis will include t-test and multiple regression analysis in order to investigate e.g. the relationship between numbers of logins and self-management activities.

Conclusions: The interplay between multiple sources, including electronic health records, patients` own registered information and treating physicians` recommendations on one platform will have important implications for general practice. It may not only improve largely self-management activities in diabetic patients but it will also facilitate physician`s work by having all important information readily available on one platform. This may foster a more systematic discussion with the patient on further disease management strategies and potential intervention points.