Abstract
Background: Despite the continuous adaptation of eHealth systems for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a significant disconnection persists between users and developers. Since non-adherence remains high, it is necessary to better understand the patients’ perspective on telemonitoring for IBD. Accordingly, this study aimed to adapt the TECCU telemonitoring app to the preferences and needs of IBD patients. Methods: A qualitative study was carried out using successive focus groups of IBD patients. Meetings were audio-recorded and a thematic analysis was employed until data saturation was achieved. The first group included patients who had used the TECCU App in a pilot clinical trial, and subsequent meetings included patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis recruited from the Spanish Confederation of patient associations. The information collected at each meeting guided consecutive changes to the platform. Results: Data saturation was reached after three focus groups involving a total of 18 patients. Three main themes emerged: (1) platform usability, (2) the communication process, and (3) platform content. All participants indicated that TECCU is easy to use, permitting continuous and personalized feedback. According to patients´ perspectives, the platform was adapted to foster a flexible follow-up and shared decision-making using open and safe communication networks. Many participants appreciated the educational elements and, consequently, the app was connected to reliable and continuously updated webpages. Conclusions: IBD patients valued the usability and personalized monitoring offered by the TECCU App. Improvements in the messaging system and continuously updated educational content were introduced to address patients´ needs and favor their engagement.
Highlights
Interest in electronic health as a means to extend access to more complete healthcare services at a lower cost has grown in recent years
This study evaluates the patientsperceptions in order to adapt the TECCU telemonitoring app, which provides a framework for future modifications of eHealth tools for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) management
To recruit the participants to this study, a total of 12 patients who used the TECCU app in a pilot study and 32 patients associated with the ACCU were contacted
Summary
Interest in electronic health (eHealth) as a means to extend access to more complete healthcare services at a lower cost has grown in recent years. In the context of current financial sustainability problems and the excessive load of out-patient consultations faced by health systems, the growing availability of faster and cheaper Internet connections is encouraging the use of eHealth as an instrument to improve the quality and equality of healthcare [1]. In the setting of gastrointestinal pathologies, one of the best studied is the use of telemonitoring for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [2,3]. IBD is a group of chronic disorders that mainly affect young individuals in the prime of their personal and professional development. Despite the continuous adaptation of eHealth systems for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a significant disconnection persists between users and developers. This study aimed to adapt the TECCU telemonitoring app to the preferences and needs of IBD patients. The first group included patients who had used the TECCU
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