Abstract
BackgroundBased on the self-efficacy theory, an online and a face-to-face self-management programs ‘Challenge your Arthritis’ for young adults with a rheumatic disease have recently been developed. These two courses are led by young peer leaders. The objective of this study was to test the feasibility of the online and face-to-face self-management program.MethodsFeasibility was evaluated on items of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, user-acceptance, and adherence to both programs in young adults and peer leaders. Additional analyses of interactions on the e-Health applications, discussion board and chat board, were conducted.ResultsTwenty-two young adults with a diagnosed rheumatic disease participated in the study: 12 young adults followed the online program and 10 followed the face-to-face program. Both programs appeared to be feasible, especially in dealing with problems in daily life, and the participants indicated the time investment as ‘worthwhile’. In using the online program, no technical problems occurred. Participants found the program easy to use, user friendly, and liked the ‘look and feel’ of the program.ConclusionsBoth the online and the face-to-face versions of a self-management program. ‘Challenge your arthritis’ were found to be feasible and well appreciated by young adults with a rheumatic disease. Because these programs are likely to be a practical aid to health practices, a randomized controlled study to investigate the effects on patient outcomes is planned.
Highlights
Based on the self-efficacy theory, an online and a face-to-face self-management programs ‘Challenge your Arthritis’ for young adults with a rheumatic disease have recently been developed
To educate and counsel young adults, we first developed an outpatient transition clinic, a digital portal and an information website [8]. Users of these e-Health applications and young adults from the outpatient transition clinic expressed their needs for a training program in which they could practice self-management skills
We developed an online version, using a safe website and a face-to-face version so young patients could choose to participate in the way that best suited their current lifestyle. All these initiatives were taken in close cooperation with the Dutch Rheumatism Patient League (DRPL) and young adults from the outpatient transition clinic of University Medical Center
Summary
Based on the self-efficacy theory, an online and a face-to-face self-management programs ‘Challenge your Arthritis’ for young adults with a rheumatic disease have recently been developed. The objective of this study was to test the feasibility of the online and face-to-face self-management program Numerous rheumatic diseases such as arthritis, fibromyalgia and systemic lupus erythematosus affect children [1]. To educate and counsel young adults, we first developed an outpatient transition clinic, a digital portal and an information website [8] Users of these e-Health applications and young adults from the outpatient transition clinic expressed their needs for a training program in which they could practice self-management skills. To meet these needs, we developed two versions of a self management program ‘Challenge your Arthritis’, based on the Arthritis Self Management Program of Stanford University [9]. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of the online and the face-to-face version for young adults and peer leaders with respect to perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and user acceptance in order to improve and adjust the program if necessary and to implement both versions of the program into daily practice
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