Development and Pilot Testing of a Smartphone-Based Self-Care Program for Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to develop a smartphone-based self-care program (Hep B Care®) for patients with the chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV). To pilot test the feasibility of Hep B Care®, 63 participants with chronic HBV were recruited from an outpatient clinic at S hospital, Seoul, South Korea (experimental group [EG]: n = 30, control group [CG]: n = 33) between February and July 2016. Hep B Care® was developed based on the theory of self-care whilst having a chronic illness. During the 12-week intervention period, the application: (1) provided information about the disease, medication, nutrition, and exercise; (2) encouraged taking medication and exercise using alarms; and (3) enabled the exchange of messages between healthcare providers and patients. Salivary cortisol, fatigue, depression, anxiety, knowledge of the HBV, quality of life, and medication adherence were all measured as outcomes. Cortisol levels were significantly increased, knowledge of the HBV was improved, and the mean anxiety score was significantly decreased in the EG. Thus, Hep B Care ® partially improved health outcomes in the EG. We recommend that large trials be conducted among patients with the HBV. The smartphone-based self-care program for providing education and coaching is effective for improving knowledge and reducing anxiety among patients with the HBV.

Barriers that prevent adults living with HBV infection from participating in clinical research: experience from South Africa

“…For example, capitalising on the widespread use of smartphones can provide a consistent means of linking participants to the research programme, as well as for providing education, connections to trusted care providers and/or peer support, clinic reminders and updates on the progress and outputs of the study. 18,19 As long as undertaken with consent, and worded to avoid disclosure if intercepted by an unintended recipient, this can use existing messaging platforms and does not mandate the design of bespoke apps. Optimising connectivity may allow remote follow-up, thus reducing the burden of repeat clinic visits, although there are challenges related to frequent change of mobile phone numbers.…”

“…The studies that formed the backdrop for this perspective are approved by Oxford Tropical Research Ethics Committee (ref. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18], Stellenbosch University (ref. N17/01/013) and The University of the Free State (UFS-HSD2018/0193-0001).…”