Exploration of Patients' Readiness for an eHealth Management Program for Chronic Heart Failure

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is a major public health problem in the United States. Approximately 5 million Americans are living with HF, and each year, 550,000 more are newly diagnosed. With recent, rapidly advancing technologies, many studies have examined the effects of technology-based HF management programs. Most of these studies focused on telemonitoring devices, lacking an aspect to motivate individuals to manage their own illnesses. This exploratory study was conducted to (1) examine the readiness of patients with HF in using an eHealth program that includes both telemonitoring and motivational components (ie, Web learning modules, eCommunication) and (2) assess the specific needs of patients with HF that can be addressed by a future eHealth program. This was a single group descriptive study using a convenience sample. A total of 44 patients with HF (mean age, 72.8 years; range, 55Y85 years) were recruited from the pool of enrollees of the Medicare Coordinated Care Demonstration project for HF management that used only a telemonitoring component. Although only 10 participants were users, among 34 nonusers, 17 reported availability of Web access, and 15 reported that they would use the Internet if access and training were available. Overall, confidence for using telemonitoring devices and Web-based health modules was high, with means of 27 (range, 3Y30) and 7.6 (range, 1Y10), respectively. Confidence for learning health information using Web modules, however, was lower with a mean of 41.5 (range, 8Y80). The 2 most highly rated health information needs were research findings (n = 41, 93.2%) and medication (n = 39, 88.6%). Most participants would like to have e-mail communication with healthcare providers. The findings showed the participants' high readiness to use the proposed eHealth program if access and training were provided. This study used a small convenience sample. Further studies are needed with larger, diverse samples.

Online Health Information Tool Effectiveness for Older Patients: A Systematic Review of the Literature

“…Ten articles reported on a sample or subsample with a mean age between 65 and 70 years (Bond et al, 2007(Bond et al, , 2010Kerr et al, 2010;Mewton et al, 2013;Neafsey et al, 2011;Nguyen et al, 2008Nguyen et al, , 2013Ruland et al, 2013;Westlake et al, 2007;Zou et al, 2012), 14 articles used a sample or subsample with a mean age between 70 and 75 years (Berman et al, 2013;Hill-Kayser et al, 2011;Homenko et al, 2010;McKinstry et al, 2013;Nahm et al, 2008;Shea et al, 2006Shea et al, , 2009Sheeran et al, 2011;Trief et al, 2007Trief et al, , 2009Trief et al, , 2013Weinstock et al, 2011), and one article used a sample with a mean age of 79 years (Finkelstein et al, 2011). Four articles discussed OHITs based on a single function: three of which were concerned with information provision Sheeran et al, 2011) …”

Investigating readiness to use Internet and mobile services of diabetic patients of a middle-income country

“…Behavioral change for patients is a complex process, where the patient has to relearn the way to do certain health-related activities such as food intake and physical activity (Bellamy, 2004). Patients obtain information about their illness from different sources (Salo et al, 2004), and with the growing availability of new technologies, access to care has increased (Nahm et al, 2008). However, the mere knowledge or access to health-related information does not bring changes in healthrelated behaviors.…”

Online Patient Education for Chronic Disease Management: Consumer Perspectives

“…Another study showed that persons with coronary artery disease reported an increased confidence in their choice of treatment after viewing an interactive educational video online [20]. Other benefits of OPE, as perceived in literature included improved patient awareness toward the disease, reduced hospitalization, and easy access to educational material [1].…”

“…(32) I would feel more secure if an OPE displayed information about accreditation by a health organization. (33) I feel more confident if an OPE site does not display marketing or advertising material.…”

“…result from health quiz send through email or on screen. (20) I prefer OPE sites that allow me to take interactive quizzes. (21) I prefer OPE sites that allow me to participate in patient forums.…”