Utilization and efficacy of internet-based eHealth technology in gastroenterology: a systematic review

Abstract

Based on the evidence to date, eHealth internet-based technology is a promising tool that can be utilized to both promote and enhance gastrointestinal disease management and mental health.

Reply to Are Worries and Concerns Information Side Effects?

“…In such situations, the association between knowledge and health care costs in patients with IBD is also less certain and less evidence is available. In this respect, in agreement with other colleagues, 5 we believe that there is a compelling need to fill such gaps in evidence, in particular trough well-designed randomized studies, specifically targeted to such sub-populations (like patients with major symptoms of fatigue). In such settings, the use of Internet-based and other innovative techniques to deliver information should be further explored.…”

“…In this sense, recent studies, where novel, Internetbased techniques in delivering information to patients are used, are providing promising results, showing that e-administered information could improve health related quality of life, adherence, knowledge about the disease, and reduce health care costs in patients with IBD. 5 One of the mechanisms behind these important effects might be the capability from the patient, using such instrument, to tailor the information flow to her/his specific needs and her/his capability to absorb it.…”

Does Computerized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Help People with Inflammatory Bowel Disease? A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Furthermore, increased human contact would decrease cost-effectiveness, and the intervention in this study is already average in length in the context of CCBT studies. 21 The high dropout, which is commonplace in such studies as this one, 23 has an important implication: PP analyses were highly susceptible to self-selection biases. Nevertheless, ITT analyses were performed in an attempt to detect treatment effects not caused by self-selection.…”

“…22 eHealth interventions (broadly defined) have shown promise in terms of improving HRQOL in gastrointestinal conditions. 23 Computerized psychotherapy may be as effective as traditional psychotherapy. 24 There are a number of different mechanisms by which CCBT can have its effect on HRQOL, anxiety, and depression.…”

Tools for primary care management of inflammatory bowel disease: Do they exist?

“…Distance management of IBD has been shown to significantly decrease clinic visit utilization, but at this stage does not significantly affect relapse rates or hospital admission rates [68] . eHealth internet-based technology is a tool that can be utilized to both promote and enhance gastrointestinal disease management whilst at the same time reduce healthcare costs in IBD [69] . It would seem likely that combining eHealth support for patients' self-management with tools to support their primary care doctors may synergistically improve nonspecialist IBD care.…”