Use of diagnostic self-tests on body materials among Internet users in the Netherlands: prevalence and correlates of use

Ronda, Gaby; Portegijs, Piet J. M.; Dinant, Geert-Jan; Buntinx, Frank; Norg, Roelf J. C.; Weijden, Trudy van der

doi:10.1186/1471-2458-9-100

Cited by 41 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Self-tests for glucose and cholesterol assessments and home devices for measuring blood pressure have become commercially available [10], but in the Netherlands no evidence-based cardiometabolic screening program exists within current medical practice. So far, cardiometabolic risk assessment in primary health care has been directed at case-finding, and structured, programmatic prevention is lacking.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cardiometabolic prevention consultation in the Netherlands: screening uptake and detection of cardiometabolic risk factors and diseases – a pilot study

et al. 2013

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BackgroundUntil now, cardiometabolic risk assessment in Dutch primary health care was directed at case-finding, and structured, programmatic prevention is lacking. Therefore, the Prevention Consultation cardiometabolic risk (PC CMR), a stepwise approach to identify and manage patients with cardiometabolic risk factors, was developed. The aim of this study was 1) to evaluate uptake rates of the two steps of the PC CMR, 2) to assess the rates of newly diagnosed hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease and 3) to explore reasons for non-participation.MethodsSixteen general practices throughout the Netherlands were recruited to implement the PC CMR during 6 months. In eight practices eligible patients aged between 45 and 70 years without a cardiometabolic disease were actively invited by a personal letter (‘active approach’) and in eight other practices eligible patients were informed about the PC CMR only by posters and leaflets in the practice (‘passive approach’). Participating patients completed an online risk estimation (first step). Patients estimated as having a high risk according to the online risk estimation were advised to visit their general practice to complete the risk profile with blood pressure measurements and blood tests for cholesterol and glucose and to receive recommendations about risk lowering interventions (second step).ResultsThe online risk estimation was completed by 521 (33%) and 96 (1%) of patients in the practices with an active and passive approach, respectively. Of these patients 392 (64%) were estimated to have a high risk and were referred to the practice; 142 of 392 (36%) consulted the GP. A total of 31 (22%) newly diagnosed patients were identified. Hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes and chronic kidney disease were diagnosed in 13%, 11%, 1% and 0%, respectively. Privacy risks were the most frequently mentioned reason not to participate.ConclusionsOne third of the patients responded to an active invitation to complete an online risk estimation. A passive invitation resulted in only a small number of participating patients. Two third of the participants of the online risk estimation had a high risk, but only one third of them attended the GP office. One in five visiting patients had a diagnosed cardiometabolic risk factor or disease.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cardiometabolic prevention consultation in the Netherlands: screening uptake and detection of cardiometabolic risk factors and diseases – a pilot study

et al. 2013

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“…The home-tests under consideration will be the top-5 most frequently used self-tests in the Netherlands [1]. …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving behaviour in self-testing (IBIS): Study on frequency of use, consequences, information needs and use, and quality of currently available consumer information (protocol)

et al. 2010

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BackgroundSelf-tests are available to consumers for more than 25 conditions, ranging from infectious diseases to cardiovascular risk factors. Self-tests are defined as in-vitro tests on body materials such as blood, urine, faeces, or saliva that are initiated by consumers to diagnose a particular disorder or risk factor without involving a medical professional. In 2006, 16% of a sample of Dutch Internet users had ever used at least one self-test and 17% intended to use a self-test in the future. The objectives of this study are to determine (1) the frequency of self-test use, (2) the consumers' reasons for using or not using a self-test, (3) the information that is used by self-testers in the different self-test stages and the consumers' interpretation of the quality of this information, (4) the consumers' response to self-test results in terms of their confidence in the result, reassurance by the test result, and follow-up behaviour, (5) the information consumers report to need in the decision making process of using or not using a self-test, and in further management on the basis of the self-test result, and (6) the quality of the currently available consumer information on a selected set of self-tests.MethodsMixed methods study with (1) a cross-sectional study consisting of a two-phase Internet-questionnaire, (2) semi-structured interviews with self-testers and consumers who intend to use a self-test, and (3) the assessment of the quality of consumer information of self-tests. The Health Belief Model and the Theory of Planned Behaviour will serve as the theoretical basis for the questionnaires and the interview topic guides.ConclusionsThe self-testing area is still in a state of flux and therefore it is expected that self-test use will increase in the future. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study which combines quantitative and qualitative research to identify consumers' information needs and use concerning self-testing, and the consumers' actual follow-up behaviour based on the self-test result, and simultaneously investigates the quality of the currently available consumer information. The results of this study will be used as an input in developing consumer information on self-testing.

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“…Of these tests, 44% had been performed as home tests, that is, without any professional support or counselling. Other forms of self-testing are the so-called streetcorner tests, direct access and home collect self-tests (Ronda et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Educating consumers in self-testing: The development of an online decision aid

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Ronda

et al. 2014

Health Education Journal

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Context and objective:Diagnostic self-tests have become available worldwide. The most frequently performed self-tests in the Netherlands are tests to detect high cholesterol and diabetes. Since these tests can be performed without professional guidance, potential consumers need to receive independent information on the pros and cons of self-testing. The aim of this study was to develop a decision aid (DA) on cholesterol and glucose self-testing to encourage informed choice and to meet consumers' needs and expectations. Methods: A DA was developed based on previous research and medical practice guidelines. The first prototype was assessed for content by means of semi-structured interviews with experts (n = 13), followed by usability tests with users (n = 10), leading to improvements to the DA in an iterative process. Results: Comments of the experts were grouped into four categories: general comments, textual remarks, technical errors and lay-out. User comments were mainly consistent with the experts' opinions. Important considerations that were identified concerned the safety of providing this information without direct professional counselling, whether a ranking of available tests should be provided and how strong a warning about self-testing should be. Conclusion: Important considerations on how to inform consumers about self-testing were discussed, and led to important changes in the DA. Future research will have to assess the actual use of the DA once it is accessible to the general public, as well as its effects on knowledge and attitude towards self-testing.

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Use of diagnostic self-tests on body materials among Internet users in the Netherlands: prevalence and correlates of use

Cited by 41 publications

References 5 publications

Cardiometabolic prevention consultation in the Netherlands: screening uptake and detection of cardiometabolic risk factors and diseases – a pilot study

Cardiometabolic prevention consultation in the Netherlands: screening uptake and detection of cardiometabolic risk factors and diseases – a pilot study

Improving behaviour in self-testing (IBIS): Study on frequency of use, consequences, information needs and use, and quality of currently available consumer information (protocol)

Educating consumers in self-testing: The development of an online decision aid

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