Home // International Journal On Advances in Life Sciences, volume 2, numbers 3 and 4, 2010 // View article
Authors:
Rosalie van der Vaart
Constance Drossaert
Erik Taal
Mart van de Laar
Keywords: IHCA, rheumatism, patients, preferences
Abstract:
Interactive Health Communication Applications (IHCAs) can make a valuable contribution to rheumatological care. The development of online health applications is moving quickly, and positive results have been shown. Yet solid research on use and acceptance of different information, communication and participation tools by patients is still lacking. In this qualitative study, we examined the health-related internet use of patients with rheumatic diseases, their motives for using or not using certain applications, and their needs and preferences with regard to a rheumatology IHCA. We conducted semi-structured individual interviews with eighteen patients, who were selected from a hospital’s patient panel. Participants were diagnosed with eight different forms of rheumatism and their mean age was 50.7 years. The interviews were analyzed by two independent researchers. Results show that the applications most preferred by participants were: information provision on both medical and support topics, online communication with their doctor and insight in their personal health records. Patient support groups were less valued, as were participation tools such as symptom monitoring and online exercise programs. Patients reported clear preferences and pre-conditions that should be fulfilled in order for them to use the applications. A large discrepancy was found between patients’ current use and their future preferences with respect to information about care and support, online access to medical health records and having online contact with their doctor. In conclusion, patients see great value in an IHCA provided by their own hospital, since it could increase reliability of the provided information, and would give them the confidence to use the application. Overall a rheumatology IHCA should contain communication and participation tools, both linked to the hospital, and information about disease, care and practical support. The reported motives and preconditions of the respondents outline key issues which should guide the development of an online application.
Pages: 143 to 153
Copyright: Copyright (c) to authors, 2010. Used with permission.
Publication date: April 6, 2011
Published in: journal
ISSN: 1942-2660