Patients’ Perspectives, Factors, and Patterns of eHealth Use in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Abstract

eHealth supports the delivery of relevant health information and management of chronic disease. However, little is known about patients' perspectives and the determinants of eHealth use among kidney transplant recipients. Kidney transplant recipients aged 18 years and older from 3 transplant units in Australia and the Better Evidence and Translation in Chronic Kidney Disease consumer network completed a survey with free-text responses relating to eHealth uptake. Multivariable regression modeling was used to determine the factors associated with eHealth use. Free-text responses were thematically analyzed. Of the 117 participants who were invited in person and who responded to the email, 91 completed the survey. Sixty-three participants (69%) were current eHealth users (active use of eHealth tools), and 91% had access to eHealth devices, including smartphones (81%) and computers (59%). Most (98%) reported that eHealth improves posttransplant care. Factors associated with increased eHealth use (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]) were higher eHealth literacy scale (eHEALS) score (1.21 [1.06-1.38]) and tertiary education (7.78 [2.19-27.7]). We identified the following 3 themes on eHealth determinants: (i) empowering self-management, (ii) enhancing health services, and (iii) technology burden. Transplant recipients believe that eHealth interventions have the potential to improve their posttransplant care. eHealth interventions should meet the needs of all transplant recipients and be accessible to those with lower educational attainment.