scholarly journals Mobile electronic devices as means of facilitating patient activation and health professional empowerment related to information seeking on chronic conditions and medications: qualitative study (Preprint)

10.2196/26300 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyllore Imeri ◽  
Shane Desselle ◽  
Dardan Hetemi ◽  
Kreshnik Hoti
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyllore Imeri ◽  
Shane Desselle ◽  
Dardan Hetemi ◽  
Kreshnik Hoti

BACKGROUND Patient Activation (PA) has an impact on the management of patients' health condition, clinical outcomes and treatment cost. Mobile electronic devices (MEDs) have shown potential to engage patients in wellness behavior. OBJECTIVE This study was aimed at exploring the impact of MEDs on PA and identifying key motivational factors related to the use of MEDs to search for information on chronic diseases and medications. METHODS Six focus groups were conducted, two focus groups with students, two with health professionals, and another two with patients. A protocol of eight questions was used to guide the discussions. The audio-recorded data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. With the view of analyzing the relevance of themes and subthemes identified, a ranking system was employed, using a coding system depicted by + symbol, to indicate different relevance levels. RESULTS Findings of this study suggested that MEDs have a positive impact on patients’ activation through facilitating information-seeking behavior on chronic diseases and medications. Key drivers leading to patient activation to seek chronic disease and medication related information through MEDs were accessibility and abundance of available and detailed information, reduced search time, information updates, and convenience to find information at any time and place. In this regard, our findings also suggest a positive relationship between patient’s level of self-care and their activation through use of MEDs. Lack of accurate information in native language, access to incorrect information and limited access to the internet were the key obstacles to seeking information related to chronic conditions and medications via MEDs. CONCLUSIONS Use of MEDs may assist to activate patients in seeking chronic disease and medication-related information, potentially leading to better management of their chronic conditions and medications. Findings also highlight the need for health professionals to empower patients through specific education that addresses MED utilization for chronic disease and medication information seeking. CLINICALTRIAL na


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 237437352110076
Author(s):  
Hyllore Imeri ◽  
Erin Holmes ◽  
Shane Desselle ◽  
Meagen Rosenthal ◽  
Marie Barnard

Chronic conditions (CCs) management during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of the pandemic on patient activation (PA) and health locus of control (HLOC) remain unknown. This cross-sectional online survey study examined the role of COVID-19 pandemic-related worry or fear in PA and HLOC among patients with CCs. Individuals with CCs (n = 300) were recruited through MTurk Amazon. The questionnaire included sociodemographic questions, the Patient Activation Measure, and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control–Form B. Out of the 300 participants, 9.7% were diagnosed with COVID-19, and 7.3% were hospitalized. Patients with cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, drug abuse/substance abuse, and stroke reported significant difficulties in managing their CCs due to worry or fear because of COVID-19. More than half of the sample (45.7%) reported COVID-19-related worry or fear about managing their CCs, and these patients had lower PA and lower external HLOC compared to patients not affected by COVID-19-related worry or fear. Health professionals should provide more support for patients facing difficulties in managing their CCs during the COVID-19 pandemic.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 258-259
Author(s):  
Angela Zell ◽  
Joan Ilardo ◽  
Adesuwa Olomu ◽  
Cristian Meghea ◽  
Supratik Rayamajhi

Abstract Gaps exist in training medical residents to assess social determinants of health (SDOH) related to chronic conditions. To address the need for better screening, we partnered with two Internal Medicine (IM) residency programs based in Lansing and Flint (Michigan) to pilot the Caring for Patients with Chronic Conditions (CPCC) project. IM residencies train internists with expertise in diagnosis, treating chronic conditions, promoting health through wellness education, and preventing and managing diseases. CPCC incorporated information during didactic sessions that residents could apply during their clinical activities that can influence their current and future clinical practice patterns. Presentations and panels from local community organizations on specific topics were incorporated into the curriculum that address needs of patients age 50 and older. To build on this education, the residents adapted the Office- Guidelines Applied in Practice (Office-GAP) checklist to identify SDOH affecting a patient’s ability to managed chronic conditions. Using this tool: 1) involves resident training; 2) provides a decision support checklist; 3) influences patient activation; and 4) increases provider and patient communication through shared decision making. The checklist includes questions for patient response pertaining to SDOH that prevents them from managing their chronic conditions in addition to the level of action the patient is willing to do. Areas identified are discussed between patient and resident increasing patient activation. Referrals to community-based resources to identified SDOH needs are guided by the clinic’s care manager. The Office-GAP tool is administered during three subsequent visits to ensure that patients actually accessed the community resources.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 2235042X2098119
Author(s):  
Jenny Ploeg ◽  
Anna Garnett ◽  
Kimberly D Fraser ◽  
Lisa Garland Baird ◽  
Sharon Kaasalainen ◽  
...  

Background: Older adults with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) rely heavily on caregivers for assistance with care. However, we know little about their psychosocial experiences and their needs for support in managing MCC. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of caregivers of older adults living in the community with MCC. Methods: This qualitative study was a secondary analysis of previously collected data from caregivers in Ontario and Alberta, Canada. Participants included caregivers of older adults (65 years and older) with three or more chronic conditions. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Interview transcripts were coded and analyzed using Thorne’s interpretive description approach. Results: Most of the 47 caregiver participants were female (76.6%), aged 65 years of age or older (61.7%), married (87.2%) and were spouses to the care recipient (68.1%). Caregivers’ experiences of caring for community-living older adults with MCC were complex and included: (a) dealing with the demands of caregiving; (b) prioritizing chronic conditions; (c) living with my own health limitations; (d) feeling socially isolated and constrained; (e) remaining committed to caring; and (f) reaping the rewards of caregiving. Conclusions: Healthcare providers can play key roles in supporting caregivers of older adults with MCC by providing education and support on managing MCC, actively engaging them in goal setting and care planning, and linking them to appropriate community health and social support services. Communities can create environments that support caregivers in areas such as social participation, social inclusion, and community support and health services.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ledric Sherman ◽  
Kirby Goidel ◽  
Caroline Bergeron ◽  
Matthew Lee Smith

BACKGROUND Previous research has identified disparities in seeking and using online health information to inform health-related behaviors. Relatively few studies, however, have examined the correlates of online health information seeking and use at the intersection of race, gender, age, and the presence of chronic health condition. OBJECTIVE In this study, we identify factors associated with seeking and using online health information among a uniquely vulnerable and intersectional population, middle-aged and older (40+) African-American and Hispanic men living with one or more chronic conditions. METHODS Survey responses were collected from a purposive sample of African-American and Hispanic men using Qualtrics online survey management software. To qualify for inclusion in the study, respondents had to identify as African-American or Hispanic men, report having at least one chronic condition, and aged 40 years and older. RESULTS Online health information seeking among minority men is function of education, the presence of multiple chronic conditions, frustrations with healthcare providers, internet use, and the perceived reliability of online health information. Use of online health information to inform interactions with healthcare providers is more common for minority men who rate their health as relatively good, perceive barriers to care, use technology regularly, and take more daily medications. CONCLUSIONS Understanding the factors that influence minority males to seek online health information may help to improve care and treatment of chronic conditions. Minority males seek online health information as a substitute for routine care, but also to inform their discussions with healthcare providers. CLINICALTRIAL N/A


2021 ◽  
pp. 026010602110388
Author(s):  
Kelly Daigle Millan ◽  
Samantha Poccia ◽  
Teresa T. Fung

Background: Maternal behavior during pregnancy is crucial to her own and her infant's health, and as such, it is important to understand the nutrition and supplement habits of women during pregnancy and what informs those behaviors. Aim: We aimed to assess the information seeking habits, attitudes, and beliefs about pregnancy-related nutrition and supplementation among pregnant women in the United States. Methods: Qualitative study using key informant interviews with pregnant and recently pregnant ( n = 21) US women. Themes related to concerns, attitudes, behaviors, and information seeking habits were extracted. Results: The mean age was 31.9 years and all had at least a university degree. Two major themes that emerged: (1) nutrition information-related attitudes and beliefs and (2) food and supplement-related attitudes and beliefs. Pregnant women in the US were underwhelmed with their health care provider experience when receiving information about pregnancy-related nutrition and supplementation. Nutrition was most often addressed in a reactive manner while women desired a more proactive approach. As a result, they conducted their own research using the internet as their primary tool, and ultimately made nutrition and supplement decisions based largely on their own instincts. Conclusion: Women interviewed for this study encountered barriers to pregnancy related nutrition information from a lack of clear communication from their health care provider and ambiguity and inconsistencies in information within and between sources. Women relied on themselves for information seeking and nutrition related decision making throughout their pregnancy.


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