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Greenwell K, Becque T, Sivyer K, Steele M, Denison-Day J, Howells L, Ridd MJ, Roberts A, Lawton S, Langan SM, Hooper J, Wilczynska S, Griffiths G, Sach TH, Little P, Williams HC, Thomas KS, Yardley L, Muller I, Santer M, Stuart B. Online behavioural interventions for children and young people with eczema: a quantitative evaluation. Br J Gen Pract 2024; 74:e379-e386. [PMID: 38316467 PMCID: PMC11104514 DOI: 10.3399/bjgp.2023.0411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Two online behavioural interventions (one website for parents/carers of children with eczema; and one for young people with eczema) have been shown in randomised controlled trials to facilitate a sustained improvement in eczema severity. AIM To describe intervention use and examine potential mediators of intervention outcomes and contextual factors that may influence intervention delivery and outcomes. DESIGN AND SETTING Quantitative process evaluation in UK primary care. METHOD Parents/carers and young people were recruited through primary care. Intervention use was recorded and summarised descriptively. Logistic regression explored sociodemographic and other factors associated with intervention engagement. Mediation analysis investigated whether patient enablement (ability to understand and cope with health issues), treatment use, and barriers to adherence were mediators of intervention effect. Subgroup analysis compared intervention effects among pre-specified participant subsets. RESULTS A total of 340 parents/carers and 337 young people were recruited. Most parents/carers (87%, n = 148/171) and young people (91%, n = 153/168) in the intervention group viewed the core introduction by 24 weeks. At 24 weeks, users had spent approximately 20 minutes on average on the interventions. Among parents/carers, greater intervention engagement was associated with higher education levels, uncertainty about carrying out treatments, and doubts about treatment efficacy at baseline. Among young people, higher intervention use was associated with higher baseline eczema severity. Patient enablement (the ability to understand and cope with health issues) accounted for approximately 30% of the intervention effect among parents/carers and 50% among young people. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that positive intervention outcomes depended on a modest time commitment from users. This provides further support that the wider implementation of Eczema Care Online is justified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Greenwell
- Primary Care Research Centre, Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education Unit, Faculty of Medicine; Centre for Clinical and Community Applications of Health Psychology, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton
| | - Taeko Becque
- Primary Care Research Centre, Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton
| | - Katy Sivyer
- Centre for Clinical and Community Applications of Health Psychology, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton
| | - Mary Steele
- Primary Care Research Centre, Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton
| | - James Denison-Day
- Centre for Clinical and Community Applications of Health Psychology, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton
| | - Laura Howells
- Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology, Lifespan and Population Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham
| | - Matthew J Ridd
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol
| | - Amanda Roberts
- Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology, Lifespan and Population Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham
| | - Sandra Lawton
- Queen's Nurse, Department of Dermatology, Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, Rotherham
| | - Sinéad M Langan
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London
| | - Julie Hooper
- Primary Care Research Centre, Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton
| | | | - Gareth Griffiths
- Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton
| | - Tracey H Sach
- Primary Care Research Centre, Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton
| | - Paul Little
- Primary Care Research Centre, Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton
| | - Hywel C Williams
- Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology, Lifespan and Population Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham
| | - Kim S Thomas
- Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology, Lifespan and Population Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham
| | - Lucy Yardley
- Centre for Clinical and Community Applications of Health Psychology, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton; School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol
| | - Ingrid Muller
- Primary Care Research Centre, Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton
| | - Miriam Santer
- Primary Care Research Centre, Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton
| | - Beth Stuart
- Centre for Evaluation and Methods, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London
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Fitzpatrick PJ. Improving health literacy using the power of digital communications to achieve better health outcomes for patients and practitioners. Front Digit Health 2023; 5:1264780. [PMID: 38046643 PMCID: PMC10693297 DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2023.1264780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Digital communication tools have demonstrated significant potential to improve health literacy which ultimately leads to better health outcomes. In this article, we examine the power of digital communication tools such as mobile health apps, telemedicine and online health information resources to promote health and digital literacy. We outline evidence that digital tools facilitate patient education, self-management and empowerment possibilities. In addition, digital technology is optimising the potential for improved clinical decision-making, treatment options and communication among providers. We also explore the challenges and limitations associated with digital health literacy, including issues related to access, reliability and privacy. We propose leveraging digital communication tools is key to optimising engagement to enhance health literacy across demographics leading to transformation of healthcare delivery and driving better outcomes for all.
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Greenwell K, Sivyer K, Howells L, Steele M, Ridd MJ, Roberts A, Ahmed A, Lawton S, Langan SM, Hooper J, Wilczynska S, Leighton P, Griffiths G, Sach T, Little P, Williams HC, Thomas KS, Yardley L, Santer M, Muller I. 'Eczema shouldn't control you; you should control eczema': qualitative process evaluation of online behavioural interventions to support young people and parents/carers of children with eczema. Br J Dermatol 2022; 188:506-513. [PMID: 36745562 DOI: 10.1093/bjd/ljac115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a lack of well-conducted randomized controlled trials evaluating the effectiveness of theory-based online interventions for eczema. To address these deficiencies, we previously developed and demonstrated the effectiveness of two online behavioural interventions: Eczema Care Online for parents/carers of children with eczema, and Eczema Care Online for young people with eczema. OBJECTIVES To explore the views and experiences of people who have used the Eczema Care Online interventions to provide insights into how the interventions worked and identify contextual factors that may impede users' engagement with the interventions. METHODS Qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted with 17 parents/carers of children with eczema and 17 young people with eczema. Participants were purposively sampled from two randomized controlled trials of the interventions and recruited from GP surgeries in England. Transcripts were analysed using inductive thematic analysis, and intervention modifications were identified using the person-based approach table of changes method. RESULTS Both young people and parents/carers found the interventions easy to use, relatable and trustworthy, and perceived that they helped them to manage their eczema, thus suggesting that Eczema Care Online may be acceptable to its target groups. Our analysis suggested that the interventions may reduce eczema severity by facilitating empowerment among its users, specifically through improved understanding of, and confidence in, eczema management, reduced treatment concerns, and improved treatment adherence and management of irritants/triggers. Reading about the experiences of others with eczema helped people to feel 'normal' and less alone. Some (mainly young people) expressed firmly held negative beliefs about topical corticosteroids, views that were not influenced by the intervention. Minor improvements to the design and navigation of the Eczema Care Online interventions and content changes were identified and made, ready for wider implementation. CONCLUSIONS People with eczema and their families can benefit from reliable information, specifically information on the best and safest ways to use their eczema treatments early in their eczema journey. Together, our findings from this study and the corresponding trials suggest wider implementation of Eczema Care Online (EczemaCareOnline.org.uk) is justified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Greenwell
- Centre for Clinical and Community Applications of Health Psychology, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Katy Sivyer
- Centre for Clinical and Community Applications of Health Psychology, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Laura Howells
- Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology, Lifespan and Population Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Mary Steele
- Primary Care Research Centre, Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Matthew J Ridd
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Amanda Roberts
- Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology, Lifespan and Population Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Amina Ahmed
- Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology, Lifespan and Population Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Sandra Lawton
- Department of Dermatology, Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, Rotherham, UK
| | - Sinéad M Langan
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Julie Hooper
- Primary Care Research Centre, Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Sylvia Wilczynska
- Primary Care Research Centre, Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Paul Leighton
- Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology, Lifespan and Population Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - Tracey Sach
- Health Economics Group, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Paul Little
- Primary Care Research Centre, Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Hywel C Williams
- Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology, Lifespan and Population Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Kim S Thomas
- Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology, Lifespan and Population Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Lucy Yardley
- Centre for Clinical and Community Applications of Health Psychology, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.,School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Miriam Santer
- Primary Care Research Centre, Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Ingrid Muller
- Primary Care Research Centre, Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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Yardley L, Morton K, Greenwell K, Stuart B, Rice C, Bradbury K, Ainsworth B, Band R, Murray E, Mair F, May C, Michie S, Richards-Hall S, Smith P, Bruton A, Raftery J, Zhu S, Thomas M, McManus RJ, Little P. Digital interventions for hypertension and asthma to support patient self-management in primary care: the DIPSS research programme including two RCTs. PROGRAMME GRANTS FOR APPLIED RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.3310/bwfi7321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Background
Digital interventions offer a potentially cost-effective means to support patient self-management in primary care, but evidence for the feasibility, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of digital interventions remains mixed. This programme focused on the potential for self-management digital interventions to improve outcomes in two common, contrasting conditions (i.e. hypertension and asthma) for which care is currently suboptimal, leading to excess deaths, illness, disability and costs for the NHS.
Objectives
The overall purpose was to address the question of how digital interventions can best provide cost-effective support for patient self-management in primary care. Our aims were to develop and trial digital interventions to support patient self-management of hypertension and asthma. Through the process of planning, developing and evaluating these interventions, we also aimed to generate a better understanding of what features and methods for implementing digital interventions could make digital interventions acceptable, feasible, effective and cost-effective to integrate into primary care.
Design
For the hypertension strand, we carried out systematic reviews of quantitative and qualitative evidence, intervention planning, development and optimisation, and an unmasked randomised controlled trial comparing digital intervention with usual care, with a health economic analysis and nested process evaluation. For the asthma strand, we carried out a systematic review of quantitative evidence, intervention planning, development and optimisation, and a feasibility randomised controlled trial comparing digital intervention with usual care, with nested process evaluation.
Setting
General practices (hypertension, n = 76; asthma, n = 7) across Wessex and Thames Valley regions in Southern England.
Participants
For the hypertension strand, people with uncontrolled hypertension taking one, two or three antihypertensive medications. For the asthma strand, adults with asthma and impaired asthma-related quality of life.
Interventions
Our hypertension intervention (i.e. HOME BP) was a digital intervention that included motivational training for patients to self-monitor blood pressure, as well as health-care professionals to support self-management; a digital interface to send monthly readings to the health-care professional and to prompt planned medication changes when patients’ readings exceeded recommended targets for 2 consecutive months; and support for optional patient healthy behaviour change (e.g. healthy diet/weight loss, increased physical activity and reduced alcohol and salt consumption). The control group were provided with a Blood Pressure UK (London, UK) leaflet for hypertension and received routine hypertension care. Our asthma intervention (i.e. My Breathing Matters) was a digital intervention to improve the functional quality of life of primary care patients with asthma by supporting illness self-management. Motivational content intended to facilitate use of pharmacological self-management strategies (e.g. medication adherence and appropriate health-care service use) and non-pharmacological self-management strategies (e.g. breathing retraining, stress reduction and healthy behaviour change). The control group were given an Asthma UK (London, UK) information booklet on asthma self-management and received routine asthma care.
Main outcome measures
The primary outcome for the hypertension randomised controlled trial was difference between intervention and usual-care groups in mean systolic blood pressure (mmHg) at 12 months, adjusted for baseline blood pressure, blood pressure target (i.e. standard, diabetic or aged > 80 years), age and general practice. The primary outcome for the asthma feasibility study was the feasibility of the trial design, including recruitment, adherence, intervention engagement and retention at follow-up. Health-care utilisation data were collected via notes review.
Review methods
The quantitative reviews included a meta-analysis. The qualitative review comprised a meta-ethnography.
Results
A total of 622 hypertensive patients were recruited to the randomised controlled trial, and 552 (89%) were followed up at 12 months. Systolic blood pressure was significantly lower in the intervention group at 12 months, with a difference of –3.4 mmHg (95% confidence interval –6.1 to –0.8 mmHg), and this gave an incremental cost per unit of systolic blood pressure reduction of £11 (95% confidence interval £5 to £29). Owing to a cost difference of £402 and a quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) difference of 0.044, long-term modelling puts the incremental cost per QALY at just over £9000. The probability of being cost-effective was 66% at willingness to pay £20,000 per quality-adjusted life-year, and this was higher at higher thresholds. A total of 88 patients were recruited to the asthma feasibility trial (target n = 80; n = 44 in each arm). At 3-month follow-up, two patients withdrew and six patients did not complete outcome measures. At 12 months, two patients withdrew and four patients did not complete outcome measures. A total of 36 out of 44 patients in the intervention group engaged with My Breathing Matters [with a median of four (range 0–25) logins].
Limitations
Although the interventions were designed to be as accessible as was feasible, most trial participants were white and participants of lower socioeconomic status were less likely to take part and complete follow-up measures. Challenges remain in terms of integrating digital interventions with clinical records.
Conclusions
A digital intervention using self-monitored blood pressure to inform medication titration led to significantly lower blood pressure in participants than usual care. The observed reduction in blood pressure would be expected to lead to a reduction of 10–15% in patients suffering a stroke. The feasibility trial of My Breathing Matters suggests that a fully powered randomised controlled trial of the intervention is warranted. The theory-, evidence- and person-based approaches to intervention development refined through this programme enabled us to identify and address important contextual barriers to and facilitators of engagement with the interventions.
Future work
This research justifies consideration of further implementation of the hypertension intervention, a fully powered randomised controlled trial of the asthma intervention and wide dissemination of our methods for intervention development. Our interventions can also be adapted for a range of other health conditions.
Trial and study registration
The trials are registered as ISRCTN13790648 (hypertension) and ISRCTN15698435 (asthma). The studies are registered as PROSPERO CRD42013004773 (hypertension review) and PROSPERO CRD42014013455 (asthma review).
Funding
This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Programme Grants for Applied Research programme and will be published in full in Programme Grants for Applied Research; Vol. 10, No. 11. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Yardley
- School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Kate Morton
- School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Kate Greenwell
- School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Beth Stuart
- Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Cathy Rice
- Patient and public involvement contributor, UK
| | | | - Ben Ainsworth
- School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Rebecca Band
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Elizabeth Murray
- Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Frances Mair
- General Practice and Primary Care, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Carl May
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Susan Michie
- Centre for Behaviour Change, Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Peter Smith
- Department of Social Statistics and Demography, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Anne Bruton
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - James Raftery
- Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Shihua Zhu
- Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Mike Thomas
- Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Richard J McManus
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Paul Little
- Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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Watson A, Wilkinson TMA. Digital healthcare in COPD management: a narrative review on the advantages, pitfalls, and need for further research. Ther Adv Respir Dis 2022; 16:17534666221075493. [PMID: 35234090 PMCID: PMC8894614 DOI: 10.1177/17534666221075493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality despite current treatment strategies which focus on smoking cessation, pulmonary rehabilitation, and symptomatic relief. A focus of COPD care is to encourage self-management, particularly during COVID-19, where much face-to-face care has been reduced or ceased. Digital health solutions may offer affordable and scalable solutions to support COPD patient education and self-management, such solutions could improve clinical outcomes and expand service reach for limited additional cost. However, optimal ways to deliver digital medicine are still in development, and there are a number of important considerations for clinicians, commissioners, and patients to ensure successful implementation of digitally augmented care. In this narrative review, we discuss advantages, pitfalls, and future prospects of digital healthcare, which offer a variety of tools including self-management plans, education videos, inhaler training videos, feedback to patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs), exacerbation monitoring, and pulmonary rehabilitation. We discuss the key issues with sustaining patient and HCP engagement and limiting attrition of use, interoperability with devices, integration into healthcare systems, and ensuring inclusivity and accessibility. We explore the essential areas of research beyond determining safety and efficacy to understand the acceptability of digital healthcare solutions to patients, clinicians, and healthcare systems, and hence ways to improve this and sustain engagement. Finally, we explore the regulatory challenges to ensure quality and engagement and effective integration into current healthcare systems and care pathways, while maintaining patients’ autonomy and privacy. Understanding and addressing these issues and successful incorporation of an acceptable, simple, scalable, affordable, and future-proof digital solution into healthcare systems could help remodel global chronic disease management and fractured healthcare systems to provide best patient care and optimisation of healthcare resources to meet the global burden and unmet clinical need of COPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alastair Watson
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UKNIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, UKCollege of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Tom M A Wilkinson
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK. NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, UK
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