Human-centred methods in the design of an e-health solution for patients undergoing weight loss treatment

Das, Anita; Svanæs, Dag

doi:10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2013.06.008

Cited by 45 publications

(67 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The eHealth portal was developed for patients undergoing bariatric surgery and included health-related information, self-management tools, and communication features [37,40]. The portal was developed through a human-centered design process [41], and according to the security and privacy concerns that are required for such solutions in Norway [37,40]. To gain access to the portal, the user was required to be registered in the system and obtain a username and password.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

What Influences Patient Participation in an Online Forum for Weight Loss Surgery? A Qualitative Case Study

Das¹,

Faxvaag²

2014

Interact J Med Res

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BackgroundMany patients who undergo weight loss (bariatric) surgery seek information and social support in online discussion forums, but the vast amount of available information raises concerns about the impact of such information. A secure online discussion forum was developed and offered to bariatric surgery patients. The forum was moderated and allowed contact with peers and health care professionals.ObjectiveThe purposes of this study were to explore how individuals undergoing bariatric surgery used the moderated discussion forum and to better understand what influenced their participation in the forum.MethodsThe study was designed as an explorative case study. We conducted participant observation of the discussion forum over a time period of approximately six months. For further insight, we carried out in-depth semistructured interviews with seven patients who had access to the forum. We analyzed the material inductively, using content and thematic analysis.ResultsThe patients used the forum as an arena in which to interact with peers and providers, as well as to provide and achieve informational and social support. The analysis suggests that there are three major themes that influenced participation in the online discussion forum: (1) the participant’s motivation to seek information, advice, and guidance, (2) the need for social support and networking among peers, and (3) concerns regarding self-disclosure.ConclusionsThe findings of this study imply that a moderated discussion forum for bariatric surgery patients has potential for use in a therapeutic context. The discussion forum fulfilled the informational and support needs of the bariatric surgery patients and was particularly useful for those who excluded themselves from the traditional program and experienced barriers to expressing their own needs. Even though our findings imply that the patients benefitted from using the forum regardless of their active or passive participation, restraining factors, such as considerations regarding self-disclosure, must be further investigated to prevent certain users from being precluded from participation.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

What Influences Patient Participation in an Online Forum for Weight Loss Surgery? A Qualitative Case Study

Das¹,

Faxvaag²

2014

Interact J Med Res

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“…The degree of consumer participation varies in published human-computer interaction (HCI) literature [48]. Previous examples of participatory design with community-dwelling older adults has focused primarily on functional needs, and less so on user, task, and representational needs of potential users [49][50][51][52][53]. Ho and colleagues found that of 21 articles that make reference to the concept of participation 8 actually used a participatory approach, and these studies employed a weak version of participation [54].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identifying Consumer’s Needs of Health Information Technology through an Innovative Participatory Design Approach among English- and Spanish-speaking Urban Older Adults

et al. 2014

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“…In this research project, an eHealth portal for bariatric surgery patients was established in 2011 in collaboration with a bariatric surgery clinic in Norway. The portal was developed through a human-centered development process [ 43 ] and according to the security and privacy concerns that are required for such solutions in Norway. Access to the portal required log-on procedures with username, password, and entering of a one-time personal identification number (PIN) sent to the user’s mobile phone.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of an eHealth Portal on Health Care Professionals’ Interaction with Patients: Qualitative Study

Das¹,

Faxvaag²,

Svanæs³

2015

J Med Internet Res

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BackgroundPeople who undergo weight loss surgery require a comprehensive treatment program to achieve successful outcomes. eHealth solutions, such as secure online portals, create new opportunities for improved health care delivery and care, but depend on the organizational delivery systems and on the health care professionals providing it. So far, these have received limited attention and the overall adoption of eHealth solutions remains low. In this study, a secure eHealth portal was implemented in a bariatric surgery clinic and offered to their patients. During the study period of 6 months, 60 patients and 5 health care professionals had access. The portal included patient information, self-management tools, and communication features for online dialog with peers and health care providers at the bariatric surgery clinic.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to characterize and assess the impact of an eHealth portal on health care professionals’ interaction with patients in bariatric surgery.MethodsThis qualitative case study involved a field study consisting of contextual interviews at the clinic involving observing and speaking with personnel in their actual work environment. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with health care professionals who interacted with patients through the portal. Analysis of the collected material was done inductively using thematic analysis.ResultsThe analysis revealed two main dimensions of using an eHealth portal in bariatric surgery: the transparency it represents and the responsibility that follows by providing it. The professionals reported the eHealth portal as (1) a source of information, (2) a gateway to approach and facilitate the patients, (3) a medium for irrevocable postings, (4) a channel that exposes responsibility and competence, and (5) a tool in the clinic.ConclusionsBy providing an eHealth portal to patients in a bariatric surgery program, health care professionals can observe patients’ writings and revelations thereby capturing patient challenges and acting and implementing measures. Interacting with patients through the portal can prevent dropouts and deterioration of patients’ health. However, professionals report on organizational challenges and personal constraints related to communicating with patients in writing online. Further development of guidelines and education of health care professionals about how to handle, prioritize, communicate, and facilitate patients online is required in addition to increased attention to the organizational infrastructures and incentives for enabling such solutions in health care.

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Human-centred methods in the design of an e-health solution for patients undergoing weight loss treatment

Cited by 45 publications

References 23 publications

What Influences Patient Participation in an Online Forum for Weight Loss Surgery? A Qualitative Case Study

What Influences Patient Participation in an Online Forum for Weight Loss Surgery? A Qualitative Case Study

Identifying Consumer’s Needs of Health Information Technology through an Innovative Participatory Design Approach among English- and Spanish-speaking Urban Older Adults

The Impact of an eHealth Portal on Health Care Professionals’ Interaction with Patients: Qualitative Study

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