eHealth tool for patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm: development and initial evaluation

Abstract

Rationale Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a prevalent condition among elderly men and may require surgical repair. Recent technical advances offer new opportunities to provide patients and next of kin with tailored and individualised information. eHealth tools have proven useful in other patient cohorts, but there are currently no validated educational eHealth tools for patients with AAA. Aim Our aim was to develop and evaluate an eHealth tool for patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm using a participatory design process. Method Patients, healthcare professionals and a technical team were involved in the development of the eHealth tool. The tool was assessed for content and usability through questionnaires, validated instruments and focus group interviews. Readability was assessed using Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRE) and Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL). Interview data were analysed using thematic content analysis. Results Factual content and illustrations were accurate and in line with current information routine. Readability assessments produced a mean FRE score of 42.2 (±3,7) and mean FKGL of 10 (±1), implying that the eHealth tool may be difficult to comprehend for certain users. However, participants in the focus group interviews found the tool to be understandable, relevant and easy to use. Conclusion The developed eHealth tool is acceptable, understandable and usable for the potential end‐users. Further evaluation of the usability of the tool and effect on outcome in clinical care is warranted. This is the first educational eHealth tool for patients with AAA and has potential to contribute to improved communication and quality of care for AAA patients.

A randomized clinical trial of an eHealth intervention on anxiety in patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery

“…The first step was to explore the learning needs of patients regarding their AAA and the care trajectory 8 . The second step entailed the development and validation of the eHealth tool in collaboration with patients and healthcare staff, aiming to enhance the usability and relevance of the tool 13 . The present study presents the final step of development, where the eHealth tool was tested and implemented in a real-life setting with patients planned for surgical treatment of AAA.…”

“…The content of My aorta (version 1) was also made available as a print-out for those who preferred paper format instead of using the app. The eHealth tool aimed to provide structured and balanced information and consisted of six chapters regarding the condition, self-care and surgical treatment 13 . It was designed to enable self-directed navigation and did not include time triggers or forced entries.…”

Telemedicine and Digital Health Applications in Vascular Surgery

“…Digital health technology has brought new tools to share medical knowledge, with a growing interest in applications to empower patients and provide them with appropriate information and education on their disease [ 51 , 52 ]. With that aim, some authors developed an educational e-health tool for patients with AAA and assessed its content and usability through questionnaires and focus group interviews [ 53 ]. Healthcare professionals’ feedback indicated that the content corresponded to the information that they usually provide to patients.…”

“…Healthcare professionals’ feedback indicated that the content corresponded to the information that they usually provide to patients. Users’ feedback showed that the understandability and content was adequate, suggesting that the tool could improve communication and access to information in these patients [ 53 ]. They further investigated the interest in this application to reduce anxiety in patients with AAA undergoing surgery [ 54 ].…”