BACKGROUND: Although the Internet has been shown to be an effective tool for supporting behavioural change in other chronic diseases, less in known about the efficacy of, or need for, Internet-based interventions in the prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD). AIMS: We investigated computer literacy, consumer need and perceived usefulness of the Internet as a secondary prevention tool in people with CHD. METHODS: A two-step mixed-method process was used that included a survey and two focus groups. The 12-item survey explored participants' access and confidence using the Internet. For the focus groups, we used standard methodology. RESULTS: We recruited 66 (88% response rate) consecutive cardiac patients; age 36-73 years (mean 64±13), mostly male (85%), whose primary language was predominantly English (67%). Seventy percent had a home computer with Internet access but only 20% reported researching their heart-health online. There was polarity between those with and without Internet access. Further, we found less women than men could complete online forms (p=0.03) and that participants aged over 65 years were less likely to access the Internet (p<0.01) and had lower confidence (p<0.01) than younger counterparts. Focus groups revealed challenges of an online secondary prevention service, but participants valued relevant, practical advice and placed strong emphasis on simple web design. CONCLUSION: Using a mixed-methods process we collected locally sensitive information about Internet usage and recommendations for future online health-management strategies. Some patients have more confidence using the Internet, therefore a range of multi-technological secondary prevention interventions should be considered based on individual need. Crown
BACKGROUND: Although the Internet has been shown to be an effective tool for supporting behavioural change in other chronic diseases, less in known about the efficacy of, or need for, Internet-based interventions in the prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD). AIMS: We investigated computer literacy, consumer need and perceived usefulness of the Internet as a secondary prevention tool in people with CHD. METHODS: A two-step mixed-method process was used that included a survey and two focus groups. The 12-item survey explored participants' access and confidence using the Internet. For the focus groups, we used standard methodology. RESULTS: We recruited 66 (88% response rate) consecutive cardiac patients; age 36-73 years (mean 64±13), mostly male (85%), whose primary language was predominantly English (67%). Seventy percent had a home computer with Internet access but only 20% reported researching their heart-health online. There was polarity between those with and without Internet access. Further, we found less women than men could complete online forms (p=0.03) and that participants aged over 65 years were less likely to access the Internet (p<0.01) and had lower confidence (p<0.01) than younger counterparts. Focus groups revealed challenges of an online secondary prevention service, but participants valued relevant, practical advice and placed strong emphasis on simple web design. CONCLUSION: Using a mixed-methods process we collected locally sensitive information about Internet usage and recommendations for future online health-management strategies. Some patients have more confidence using the Internet, therefore a range of multi-technological secondary prevention interventions should be considered based on individual need. Crown
Authors: Julie Redfern; T Usherwood; M F Harris; A Rodgers; N Hayman; K Panaretto; C Chow; A Y S Lau; L Neubeck; G Coorey; F Hersch; E Heeley; A Patel; S Jan; N Zwar; D Peiris Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2014-01-31 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: François Boudreau; Michel Jean Louis Walthouwer; Hein de Vries; Gilles R Dagenais; Ginette Turbide; Anne-Sophie Bourlaud; Michel Moreau; José Côté; Paul Poirier Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2015-10-09 Impact factor: 3.295