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Jenna Parascandalo
Author of
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OS06 - Advancing Frameworks for Patient Engagement (ID 6)
- Event: e-Health 2017 Virtual Meeting
- Type: Oral Session
- Track: Clinical
- Presentations: 1
- Coordinates: 6/05/2017, 04:00 PM - 05:30 PM, Room 203CD
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OS06.05 - Multimorbidity, eHealth and Equity Implications: Study of Patient eHealth Perspectives (ID 62)
Jenna Parascandalo, Family Medicine, McMaster University; Hamilton/CA
- Abstract
Purpose/Objectives: There is increasing interest by researchers, clinicians, and policy makers in improving care of chronic disease by engaging patients in eHealth activities. There are few data on patient access, confidence, concerns and interest as they relate to eHealth, in particular among those with multimorbidity. We examined the prevalence of internet and wireless internet access, device use and attitudes towards eHealth among patients attending a primary health care appointment. This study aimed to gather these data, with a focus on those with multimorbidity, using *>* 5 medications as a proxy measure.
Methodology/Approach: Using a cross-sectional study design, consecutive patients attending all physicians in the McMaster University Sentinel and Information Collaboration primary care research network were surveyed. Data was collected as Likert scales, pre-coded categories and free test responses. Means and proportions and statistical comparisons used OpenEpi and SPSS. Text responses were analysed using thematic analysis.
Finding/Results: There were 693 respondents and a response rate of 70%. The majority of respondents reported access to the internet at home (87%), although this dropped significantly with age (p<.001) 82% of the overall sample felt comfortable using the internet, however those *>70 feel significantly less comfortable (p<.0001). A number of factors were associated with disinterest in eHealth and this relationship remained significant for patients on >*5 medications when these factors were included in a logistic regression model. Privacy and loss of relational connection were key themes in the qualitative analyzes.
Conclusion/Implication/Recommendations: We found significant negative associations between increasing age and multimorbidity and; internet access, comfort with using the internet and interest in eHealth. The results of this study provide important information to consider when developing strategies with eHealth components to ensure equity and effectiveness in improving health outcomes in the group with greatest need.
140 Character Summary: Significant negative associations between multimorbidity and interest in eHealth with important implications for health equity.
