Intervention for Smokers through New Communication Technologies: What Perceptions Do Patients and Healthcare Professionals Have? A Qualitative Study

Abstract

BackgroundThe use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the health service is increasing. In spite of limitations, such as lack of time and experience, the deployment of ICTs in the healthcare system has advantages which include patient satisfaction with secure messaging, and time saving benefits and utility for patients and health professionals. ICTs may be helpful as either interventions on their own or as complementary tools to help patients stop smoking.ObjectivesTo gather opinions from both medical professionals and smokers about an email-based application that had been designed by our research group to help smoking cessation, and identify the advantages and disadvantages associated with interventions based on the utilization of ICTs for this purpose.MethodsA qualitative, descriptive–interpretative study with a phenomenological perspective was performed to identify and interpret the discourses of the participating smokers and primary healthcare professionals. Data were obtained through two techniques: semi-structured individual interviews and discussion groups, which were recorded and later systematically and literally transcribed together with the interviewer’s notes. Data were analyzed with the ATLAS TI 6.0 programme.ResultsSeven individual interviews and four focal groups were conducted. The advantages of the application based on the email intervention designed by our research group were said to be the saving of time in consultations and ease of access for patients who found work timetables and following a programme for smoking cessation incompatible. The disadvantages were thought to be a lack of personal contact with the healthcare professional, and the possibility of cheating/ self-deception, and a greater probability of relapse on the part of the smokers.ConclusionsBoth patients and healthcare professionals viewed the email-based application to help patients stop smoking as a complementary aid to face-to-face consultations. Nevertheless, ICTs could not substitute personal contact in the smoking cessation programme.

Understanding factors affecting patient and public engagement and recruitment to digital health interventions: a systematic review of qualitative studies

“…The studies were published in a number of countries with eight taking place in the United Kingdom [ 41 – 48 ], five in the United States [ 49 – 53 ], four in Canada [ 54 – 57 ] and one each in Norway [ 58 ] and Spain [ 59 ]. They spanned numerous types of DHIs including patient accessible electronic health records and PHRs [ 47 , 48 , 57 ], a telehealth system for diabetics [ 49 ], web-based sexual health and cognitive behavioural therapy services [ 42 – 45 , 55 , 56 ], an online appointment booking and patient provider communication system [ 46 , 58 ], an Internet support group [ 53 ]; a social networking application [ 50 ]; and email, SMS or mobile phone based health promotion, smoking cessation or weight loss programmes [ 41 , 51 , 52 , 59 ]. Only one study was a mixed intervention combining a pedometer with nutritional education and meal preparation training [ 54 ].…”

“…Fifteen studies were purely qualitative using a combination of interviews, focus groups, participant observation and documentary evidence [ 41 – 45 , 47 , 49 , 52 – 59 ] with only four studies adopting mixed method approaches [ 46 , 48 , 50 , 51 ]. The participants in the studies were patients, carers and healthy individuals from a variety of ages, genders, socioeconomic groups and ethnicities [ 42 , 44 , 45 , 47 , 48 , 50 – 59 ] or were health professionals such as nurses or family doctors [ 43 , 44 , 46 , 48 , 49 , 59 ]. Three studies had a mixture of other participants such as employees of large public and private companies, general practice staff and a range of individuals from local and national organisations affiliated with the implementation of a DHI [ 41 , 46 , 48 ].…”

Enhancing smoking cessation in Mexico using an e-Health tool in primary healthcare

“…This potentiation when combining different types of interventions has been reported in earlier studies. [20][21][22][23] It was salud pública de méxico / vol. 60, no.…”

“…The use of e-Health tools has led to the development of effective, low-cost, and high-population-based interventions to promote healthy behaviors, including smoking cessation. [19][20][21][22] In Mexico, few experiences us-ing web-based devices to promote smoking cessation have been developed. Smoking cessation prevents chronic-degenerative diseases, such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, COPD, lung cancer, and many other diseases that have a significant impact on mortality.…”

“…19 E-Health interventions have shown to be effective in addressing smoking cessation. 20 The effect of e-Health interventions is synergized by the use of counseling and/or motivational interventions. [21][22][23] These interventions allow reaching a large number of persons who do not regularly use smoking cessation services.…”