scholarly journals Improving Linkage to HIV Care Through Mobile Phone Apps: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willem Venter ◽  
Jesse Coleman ◽  
Vincent Lau Chan ◽  
Zara Shubber ◽  
Mothepane Phatsoane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Laboratory Test ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Hiv Patients ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Laboratory Results ◽  
Linkage To Hiv Care

BACKGROUND In HIV treatment program, gaps in the “cascade of care” where patients are lost between diagnosis, laboratory evaluation, treatment initiation, and retention in HIV care, is a well-described challenge. Growing access to internet-enabled mobile phones has led to an interest in using the technology to improve patient engagement with health care. OBJECTIVE The objectives of this trial were: (1) to assess whether a mobile phone–enabled app could provide HIV patients with laboratory test results, (2) to better understand the implementation of such an intervention, and (3) to determine app effectiveness in improving linkage to HIV care after diagnosis. METHODS We developed and tested an app through a randomized controlled trial carried out in several primary health care facilities in Johannesburg. Newly diagnosed HIV-positive patients were screened, recruited, and randomized into the trial as they were giving a blood sample for initial CD4 staging. Trial eligibility included ownership of a phone compatible with the app and access to the internet. Trial participants were followed for a minimum of eight months to determine linkage to HIV care indicated by an HIV-related laboratory test result. RESULTS The trial outcome results are being prepared for publication, but here we describe the significant operational and technological lessons provided by the implementation. Android was identified as the most suitable operating system for the app, due to Android functionality and communication characteristics. Android also had the most significant market share of all smartphone operating systems in South Africa. The app was successfully developed with laboratory results sent to personal smartphones. However, given the trial requirements and the app itself, only 10% of screened HIV patients successfully enrolled. We report on issues such as patient eligibility, app testing in a dynamic phone market, software installation and compatibility, safe identification of patients, linkage of laboratory results to patients lacking unique identifiers, and present lessons and potential solutions. CONCLUSIONS The implementation challenges and lessons of this trial may assist future similar mHealth interventions to avoid some of the pitfalls. Ensuring sufficient expertise and understanding of the programmatic needs by the software developer, as well as in the implementation team, with adequate and rapid piloting within the target groups, could have led to better trial recruitment. However, the majority of screened patients were interested in the study, and the app was installed successfully in patients with suitable smartphones, suggesting that this may be a way to engage patients with their health care data in future. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02756949; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02756949 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6z1GTJCNW)

scholarly journals Improving Linkage to HIV Care Through Mobile Phone Apps: Randomized Controlled Trial

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. e155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willem Venter ◽  
Jesse Coleman ◽  
Vincent Lau Chan ◽  
Zara Shubber ◽  
Mothepane Phatsoane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Linkage To Hiv Care

scholarly journals Assessing the Effectiveness and Acceptability of a Personalized Mobile Phone App in Improving Adherence to Oral Hygiene Advice in Orthodontic Patients: Protocol for a Feasibility Study and a Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/18021 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e18021
Author(s):  
Mohammad Owaise Sharif ◽  
Jonathon Timothy Newton ◽  
Susan J Cunningham
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Orthodontic Treatment ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Adherence To Treatment ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Background Orthodontic treatment is a common health care intervention; treatment duration can be lengthy (2-3 years on average), and adherence to treatment advice is therefore essential for successful outcomes. It has been reported that up to 43% of patients fail to complete treatment, and there are currently no useful predictors of noncompletion. Given that the National Health Service England annual expenditure on primary-care orthodontic treatment is in excess of £200 million (US $267 million), noncompletion of treatment represents a significant inefficient use of public resources. Improving adherence to treatment is therefore essential. This necessitates behavior change, and interventions that improve adherence and are designed to elicit behavioral change must address an individual’s capability, opportunity, and motivation. Mobile phones are potentially an invaluable tool in this regard, as they are readily available and can be used in a number of ways to address an individual’s capability, opportunity, and motivation. Objective This study will assess the effectiveness and acceptability of a personalized mobile phone app in improving adherence to orthodontic treatment advice by way of a randomized controlled trial. Methods This study will be conducted in 2 phases at the Eastman Dental Hospital, University College London Hospitals Foundation Trust. Phase 1 is feasibility testing of the My Braces app. Participants will be asked to complete the user version of the Mobile Application Rating Scale. The app will be amended following analysis of the responses, if appropriate. Phase 2 is a randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness and acceptability of the My Braces app. Results This study was approved by the London – Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee on November 5, 2019 (reference 19/LO/1555). No patients have been recruited to date. The anticipated start date for recruitment to phase 1 is October 2020. Conclusions Given the availability, affordability, and versatility of mobile phones, it is proposed that they will aid in improving adherence to treatment advice and hence improve treatment completion rates. If effective, the applicability of this methodology to developing behavior change/modification interventions and improving adherence to treatment across health care provides an exciting opportunity. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04184739; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04184739 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/18021

scholarly journals Patients and Professionals as Partners in Hypertension Care: Qualitative Substudy of a Randomized Controlled Trial Using an Interactive Web-Based System Via Mobile Phone (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrika Andersson ◽  
Ulrika Bengtsson ◽  
Agneta Ranerup ◽  
Patrik Midlöv ◽  
Karin Kjellgren
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Hypertension Management ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Web Based System

BACKGROUND The use of technology has the potential to support the patient´s active participation regarding treatment of hypertension. This might lead to changes in the roles of the patient and health care professional and affect the partnership between them. OBJECTIVE The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the partnership between patients and health care professionals and the roles of patients and professionals in hypertension management when using an interactive web-based system for self-management of hypertension via the patient’s own mobile phone. METHODS Focus group interviews were conducted with 22 patients and 15 professionals participating in a randomized controlled trial in Sweden aimed at lowering blood pressure (BP) using an interactive web-based system via mobile phones. The interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Three themes were identified: the technology, the patient, and the professional. The technology enabled documentation of BP treatment, mainly for sharing knowledge between the patient and the professional. The patients gained increased knowledge of BP values and their relation to daily activities and treatment. They were able to narrate about their BP treatment and take a greater responsibility, inspired by new insights and motivation for lifestyle changes. Based on the patient’s understanding of hypertension, professionals could use the system as an educational tool and some found new ways of communicating BP treatment with patients. Some reservations were raised about using the system, that it might be too time-consuming to function in clinical practice and that too much measuring could result in stress for the patient and an increased workload for the professionals. In addition, not all professionals and patients had adopted the instructions regarding the use of the system, resulting in less realization of its potential. CONCLUSIONS The use of the system led to the patients taking on a more active role in their BP treatment, becoming more of an expert of their BP. When using the system as intended, the professionals experienced it as a useful resource for communication regarding BP and lifestyle. Patients and professionals described a consultation on more equal grounds. The use of technology in hypertension management can promote a constructive and person-centered partnership between patient and professional. However, implementation of a new way of working should bring benefits and not be considered a burden for the professionals. To establish a successful partnership, both the patient and the professional need to be motivated toward a new way of working. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03554382; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03554382

scholarly journals Scaled-Up Mobile Phone Intervention for HIV Care and Treatment: Protocol for a Facility Randomized Controlled Trial

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly L L'Engle ◽  
Kimberly Green ◽  
Stacey M Succop ◽  
Amos Laar ◽  
Samuel Wambugu
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Treatment Protocol ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Care And Treatment

scholarly journals Assessing the Effectiveness and Acceptability of a Personalized Mobile Phone App in Improving Adherence to Oral Hygiene Advice in Orthodontic Patients: Protocol for a Feasibility Study and a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Owaise Sharif ◽  
Jonathon Timothy Newton ◽  
Susan J Cunningham
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Orthodontic Treatment ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Adherence To Treatment ◽  
Randomized Controlled

BACKGROUND Orthodontic treatment is a common health care intervention; treatment duration can be lengthy (2-3 years on average), and adherence to treatment advice is therefore essential for successful outcomes. It has been reported that up to 43% of patients fail to complete treatment, and there are currently no useful predictors of noncompletion. Given that the National Health Service England annual expenditure on primary-care orthodontic treatment is in excess of £200 million (US $267 million), noncompletion of treatment represents a significant inefficient use of public resources. Improving adherence to treatment is therefore essential. This necessitates behavior change, and interventions that improve adherence and are designed to elicit behavioral change must address an individual’s capability, opportunity, and motivation. Mobile phones are potentially an invaluable tool in this regard, as they are readily available and can be used in a number of ways to address an individual’s capability, opportunity, and motivation. OBJECTIVE This study will assess the effectiveness and acceptability of a personalized mobile phone app in improving adherence to orthodontic treatment advice by way of a randomized controlled trial. METHODS This study will be conducted in 2 phases at the Eastman Dental Hospital, University College London Hospitals Foundation Trust. Phase 1 is feasibility testing of the My Braces app. Participants will be asked to complete the user version of the Mobile Application Rating Scale. The app will be amended following analysis of the responses, if appropriate. Phase 2 is a randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness and acceptability of the My Braces app. RESULTS This study was approved by the London – Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee on November 5, 2019 (reference 19/LO/1555). No patients have been recruited to date. The anticipated start date for recruitment to phase 1 is October 2020. CONCLUSIONS Given the availability, affordability, and versatility of mobile phones, it is proposed that they will aid in improving adherence to treatment advice and hence improve treatment completion rates. If effective, the applicability of this methodology to developing behavior change/modification interventions and improving adherence to treatment across health care provides an exciting opportunity. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04184739; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04184739 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT PRR1-10.2196/18021

scholarly journals Patients and Professionals as Partners in Hypertension Care: Qualitative Substudy of a Randomized Controlled Trial Using an Interactive Web-Based System Via Mobile Phone

10.2196/26143 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. e26143
Author(s):  
Ulrika Andersson ◽  
Ulrika Bengtsson ◽  
Agneta Ranerup ◽  
Patrik Midlöv ◽  
Karin Kjellgren
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Hypertension Management ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Web Based System

Background The use of technology has the potential to support the patient´s active participation regarding treatment of hypertension. This might lead to changes in the roles of the patient and health care professional and affect the partnership between them. Objective The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the partnership between patients and health care professionals and the roles of patients and professionals in hypertension management when using an interactive web-based system for self-management of hypertension via the patient’s own mobile phone. Methods Focus group interviews were conducted with 22 patients and 15 professionals participating in a randomized controlled trial in Sweden aimed at lowering blood pressure (BP) using an interactive web-based system via mobile phones. The interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Three themes were identified: the technology, the patient, and the professional. The technology enabled documentation of BP treatment, mainly for sharing knowledge between the patient and the professional. The patients gained increased knowledge of BP values and their relation to daily activities and treatment. They were able to narrate about their BP treatment and take a greater responsibility, inspired by new insights and motivation for lifestyle changes. Based on the patient’s understanding of hypertension, professionals could use the system as an educational tool and some found new ways of communicating BP treatment with patients. Some reservations were raised about using the system, that it might be too time-consuming to function in clinical practice and that too much measuring could result in stress for the patient and an increased workload for the professionals. In addition, not all professionals and patients had adopted the instructions regarding the use of the system, resulting in less realization of its potential. Conclusions The use of the system led to the patients taking on a more active role in their BP treatment, becoming more of an expert of their BP. When using the system as intended, the professionals experienced it as a useful resource for communication regarding BP and lifestyle. Patients and professionals described a consultation on more equal grounds. The use of technology in hypertension management can promote a constructive and person-centered partnership between patient and professional. However, implementation of a new way of working should bring benefits and not be considered a burden for the professionals. To establish a successful partnership, both the patient and the professional need to be motivated toward a new way of working. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03554382; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03554382

scholarly journals Japanese health and safety information for overseas visitors: protocol for a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariko Nishikawa ◽  
Masaaki Yamanaka ◽  
Akira Shibanuma ◽  
Junko Kiriya ◽  
Masamine Jimba
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Safety Information ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Internet Portal ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Abstract Background Before the COVID-19 pandemic occurred in January 2020, the number of overseas visitors to Japan had increased threefold over the last decade. To minimize the risk of health problems, visitors should be able to access information on the health care systems of the places they visit. Most short-term overseas visitors are young adults. Although they are not very likely to get sick from noncommunicable diseases, they are at high risk for injury and often experience stomach ailments, fever, or nausea when travelling. The objective of this study is to evaluate culturally and linguistically appropriate health information on preventive health behaviours and the health care system in Japan. We will examine the level of satisfaction of overseas visitors to Japan with health care-related educational materials using a five-minute digital game named Sa-Chan Japan. Methods Our study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT). We will assess both satisfaction and motivation before, during, and after the interventions and examine the changes over time. The intervention group will comprise overseas visitors who will view and answer questions in an animation named Sa-Chan Japan. The control group will comprise overseas visitors who will watch an English digital animation named Mari Info Japan. We will recruit 1002 participants through the Macromill Internet portal. We will contact overseas visitors who have either visited or wish to visit Japan from the United Kingdom, United States, and Australia. The participants will fill out a self-administered questionnaire online in the first quarter of 2021. We will determine the participants’ levels of satisfaction with the CSQ-8 (8-item Client Satisfaction Questionnaire). We will analyse the median score of the overseas visitors with both the Wilcoxon rank-sum and the Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Our protocol of randomized controlled trials follows the SPIRIT guidelines. Discussion Our research will utilize unique digital education strategies in a game that promotes health and safety among overseas visitors to Japan. We believe the results of this study will be useful in overcoming the current challenges regarding pretravel health requirements for overseas visitors worldwide. Trial registration Version 1 of this trial was registered in the UMIN-CTR (University Hospital Medical Information Network Center Clinical Trials Registry), and the trial registration data are available on UMIN000042483, November 17, 2020.

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