Self-management of patients with tracheostomy in the home setting: a scoping review

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to create a model of patient-centered outcomes with respect to self-management tasks and skills of patients with a tracheostomy in their home setting.

METHODS

A scoping review using four search engines was undertaken (Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library) to identify studies relevant to this issue and published since 2000. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statements for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR), the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) approach of conducting and reporting a scoping review, and the Participants, Concept, Context (PCC) scheme were employed. The following elements of the framework synthesis study data were screened, and presented based on the self-management model of Lorig and Holman.

RESULTS

34 publications from 17 countries met the criteria for study inclusion: 24 quantitative, 8 qualitative and 2 mixed methods designs. Regarding the dimensions of self-management, 28 articles reported on "managing the therapeutic regimen", 27 articles discussed "managing role and behavior changes", and 16 articles explored "managing emotions". A model of self-management of patients with tracheostomy was developed, which placed the patient in the center, since it is this individual who is completing the tasks and carrying out his or her skill sets.

CONCLUSION

This scoping review represents the first comprehensive overview and modeling of the complex self-management tasks and skills required of patients with tracheostomy in their home setting. The theoretical model can serve as a cornerstone for empirical intervention studies to better support this patient-centered outcome for this population in the future.

Availability and use of web-based interventions for patients with head and neck cancer: a scoping review

PURPOSE

To identify and review the nature, scope and use of web-based interventions for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).

METHOD

A scoping review guided by the methodological framework described by the Joanna Briggs Institute was performed to review empirical studies and websites. Seven electronic databases (CINAHL, Medline, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane, PubMed and PsycInfo) were searched from 2010 to 2020, data extracted and synthesised using thematic analysis. The Google search engine was employed, identifying the first 100 websites, using the search term head and neck cancer. Websites meeting eligibility criteria were assessed using the QUEST analysis tool, and descriptively summarised.

RESULTS

Thirteen empirical studies and 32 websites were included. As identified by empirical studies, web-based interventions were developed to provide (1) patient information on HNC and related treatments, (2) advice and support during treatment and (3) management strategies promoting adjustment to life with and beyond HNC. The reviewed websites provided minimal information to aid shared decision-making and facilitate preparedness for treatment, with few utilising patient narratives. Web-based interventions for HNC patients were mainly text based and focused on survivorship.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a paucity of theory-based, co-designed web-based interventions using patient narratives.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

As patients increasingly look to the internet for advice and support, healthcare professionals are in a position to provide high-quality web-based interventions. There is an opportunity to rigorously develop a web-based intervention, containing narratives of peoples' lives before and after HNC treatment, aiding decision-making, preparedness for treatment and self-management.

Effectiveness of a nurse-led coaching of self-care agency intervention for elderly patients with total laryngectomy: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Due to functional defects and structural destruction after total laryngectomy, patients experienced the poor quality of life, especially for elderly. The barriers to accessing self-care in elderly patients were considered to result from complex and multifaceted interactions of biologic and social factors. Therefore, specific efforts to improve elderly patients' quality of life are needed. The purpose of our study is to verify nurse-led coaching of elderly patient self-care approaches, which can reduce logistic burden of patients and obtain the successful functional rehabilitation ultimately.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Elderly patients (n=60) scheduled for total laryngectomy will be randomly divided into the intervention group and the control group. Patients in the control group received routinely nursing during hospitalisation and thereby at home after discharge received conventional family care without regular supervision of nurses. Patients in the intervention group will receive a series of self-care intervention based on the transtheoretical model during hospitalisation. During home after discharge, nurses will additionally evaluate and supervise the self-care effect of patients. The two groups of patients' self-care agency, self-efficacy, quality of life and nutritional status will be recorded separately at different time points. Primary outcome is the improvement of patients' self-care agency, and secondary outcome is the improvements of patients' self-efficacy, quality of life, nutritional states and 3-month unplanned readmission rate.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The Ethics Committee of Hubei Cancer Hospital has approved this protocol (KYLLBA2020006). The findings of the trial will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, national or international conferences.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR2100043731.

Meaningful patient and public involvement in digital health innovation, implementation and evaluation: A systematic review

Introduction

The importance of meaningfully involving patients and the public in digital health innovation is widely acknowledged, but often poorly understood. This review, therefore, sought to explore how patients and the public are involved in digital health innovation and to identify factors that support and inhibit meaningful patient and public involvement (PPI) in digital health innovation, implementation and evaluation.

Methods

Searches were undertaken from 2010 to July 2020 in the electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus and ACM Digital Library. Grey literature searches were also undertaken using the Patient Experience Library database and Google Scholar.

Results

Of the 10,540 articles identified, 433 were included. The majority of included articles were published in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, with representation from 42 countries highlighting the international relevance of PPI in digital health. 112 topic areas where PPI had reportedly taken place were identified. Areas most often described included cancer (n = 50), mental health (n = 43), diabetes (n = 26) and long‐term conditions (n = 19). Interestingly, over 133 terms were used to describe PPI; few were explicitly defined. Patients were often most involved in the final, passive stages of an innovation journey, for example, usability testing, where the ability to proactively influence change was severely limited. Common barriers to achieving meaningful PPI included data privacy and security concerns, not involving patients early enough and lack of trust. Suggested enablers were often designed to counteract such challenges.

Conclusions

PPI is largely viewed as valuable and essential in digital health innovation, but rarely practised. Several barriers exist for both innovators and patients, which currently limits the quality, frequency and duration of PPI in digital health innovation, although improvements have been made in the past decade. Some reported barriers and enablers such as the importance of data privacy and security appear to be unique to PPI in digital innovation. Greater efforts should be made to support innovators and patients to become meaningfully involved in digital health innovations from the outset, given its reported benefits and impacts. Stakeholder consensus on the principles that underpin meaningful PPI in digital health innovation would be helpful in providing evidence‐based guidance on how to achieve this.

Patient or Public Contribution

This review has received extensive patient and public contributions with a representative from the Patient Experience Library involved throughout the review's conception, from design (including suggested revisions to the search strategy) through to article production and dissemination. Other areas of patient and public contributor involvement include contributing to the inductive thematic analysis process, refining the thematic framework and finalizing theme wording, helping to ensure relevance, value and meaning from a patient perspective. Findings from this review have also been presented to a variety of stakeholders including patients, patient advocates and clinicians through a series of focus groups and webinars. Given their extensive involvement, the representative from the Patient Experience Library is rightly included as an author of this review.

Quality of Life in Caregivers, Spouses, and Partners of Total Laryngectomees: A Scoping Review

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to (a) review methods used to assess quality of life (QOL) in caregivers, partners, and spouses of those who have undergone total laryngectomy (TL); (b) identify patterns in caregiver QOL changes postoperatively; and (c) review previously proposed interventions for caregivers.

METHOD

PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL Complete were searched using the Medical Subject Heading terms laryngectomy, spouse, caregiver, and partner. Two reviewers independently screened and identified records meeting inclusion criteria. This scoping review adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

RESULTS

Initial search returned 143 results and 12 met inclusion criteria. Eight studies assessed postoperative QOL changes in categories such as psychological health, physical health, sexuality, and interpersonal relationships. Four studies proposed interventions for caregivers perioperatively. There were no consistently used inventories, and only one intervention was formally tested.

CONCLUSIONS

The literature available on TL caregiver QOL contains inconsistent inventories and study design. There are few interventions available, and it would be beneficial to develop a standardized QOL inventory for this population to better target caregiver needs.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.19287887.

Methods for Human-Centered eHealth Development: Narrative Scoping Review

Background

Thorough holistic development of eHealth can contribute to a good fit among the technology, its users, and the context. However, despite the availability of frameworks, not much is known about specific research activities for different aims, phases, and settings. This results in researchers having to reinvent the wheel. Consequently, there is a need to synthesize existing knowledge on research activities for participatory eHealth development processes.

Objective

The 3 main goals of this review are to create an overview of the development strategies used in studies based on the CeHRes (Center for eHealth Research) Roadmap, create an overview of the goals for which these methods can be used, and provide insight into the lessons learned about these methods.

Methods

We included eHealth development studies that were based on the phases and/or principles of the CeHRes Roadmap. This framework was selected because of its focus on participatory, iterative eHealth design in context and to limit the scope of this review. Data were extracted about the type of strategy used, rationale for using the strategy, research questions, and reported information on lessons learned. The most frequently mentioned lessons learned were summarized using a narrative, inductive approach.

Results

In the included 160 papers, a distinction was made between overarching development methods (n=10) and products (n=7). Methods are used to gather new data, whereas products can be used to synthesize previously collected data and support the collection of new data. The identified methods were focus groups, interviews, questionnaires, usability tests, literature studies, desk research, log data analyses, card sorting, Delphi studies, and experience sampling. The identified products were prototypes, requirements, stakeholder maps, values, behavior change strategies, personas, and business models. Examples of how these methods and products were applied in the development process and information about lessons learned were provided.

Conclusions

This study shows that there is a plethora of methods and products that can be used at different points in the development process and in different settings. To do justice to the complexity of eHealth development, it seems that multiple strategies should be combined. In addition, we found no evidence for an optimal single step-by-step approach to develop eHealth. Rather, researchers need to select the most suitable research methods for their research objectives, the context in which data are collected, and the characteristics of the participants. This study serves as a first step toward creating a toolkit to support researchers in applying the CeHRes Roadmap to practice. In this way, they can shape the most suitable and efficient eHealth development process.

An ID-Associated Application to Facilitate Patient-Tailored Management of Multiple Sclerosis

Despite improvements in diagnosis and treatment, multiple sclerosis (MS) is the leading neurological cause of disability in young adults. As a chronic disease, MS requires complex and challenging management. In this context, eHealth has gained an increasing relevance. Here, we aim to summarize beneficial features of a mobile app recently implemented in clinical MS routine as well as beyond MS. PatientConcept is a CE-certified, ID-associated multilingual software application allowing patients to record relevant health data without disclosing any identifying data. Patients can voluntarily share their health data with selected physicians. Since its implementation in 2018, about 3000 MS patients have used PatientConcept. Initially developed as a physician–patient communication platform, the app maps risk management plans of all current disease modifying therapies and thereby facilitates adherence to specified monitoring appointments. It also allows continuous monitoring of various PROs (Patient Reported Outcomes), enabling a broad overview of the disease course. In addition, various studies/projects currently assess monitoring, follow-up, diagnostics and telemetric evaluations of patients with other diseases beyond MS. Altogether, PatientConcept offers a broad range of possibilities to support physician–patient communication, implementation of risk management plans and assessment of PROs. It is a promising tool to facilitate patient-tailored management of MS and other chronic diseases.

Nursing interventions for the promotion of tracheostomy self-care: A scoping review

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To map nursing interventions, their characteristics, and outcomes, in promoting self-care of the person with a tracheostomy.

BACKGROUND

The development of competencies in self-care of a person with a tracheostomy is recognised as one of the most significant nursing intervention areas for the promotion of autonomy, prevention of complications and adaptation. Identifying nursing interventions for the promotion of self-care of the person with a tracheostomy enables enhanced clinical practice knowledge within different care contexts and the identification of gaps in the available evidence.

DESIGN

The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology was used to perform this scoping review.

METHOD

A search was conducted on the CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. The search for grey literature included Portugal´s Open Access Scientific Repository, OpenGrey, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. Studies published in Portuguese, English, Spanish and French were included. The PRISMA-ScR checklist was used.

RESULTS

From a total of 4,224 identified articles, 31 were included in this review. Multiple nursing interventions were identified and grouped into four types of action: informing, managing, determining and attending. Although most interventions are implemented with the face-to-face method, there is a growing interest in using technologies for this purpose. The dose is the characteristic most poorly described in interventions. Various results were obtained; however, valid assessment tools were not always used.

CONCLUSIONS

Designing and testing intervention programmes for the promotion of self-care of the person with a tracheostomy is necessary, based on available and robust evidence to guide clinical practice.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

This review allowed to systematise nursing interventions to promote self-care of the person with a tracheostomy. The use of combined interventions and methodologies is likely to be more effective in care delivery.

Cost-utility and cost-effectiveness of a guided self-help head and neck exercise program for patients treated with total laryngectomy: Results of a multi-center randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

The guided self-help exercise program called In Tune without Cords (ITwC) is effective in improving swallowing problems and communication among patients treated with a total laryngectomy (TL). This study investigated the cost-utility and cost-effectiveness of ITwC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients within 5 years after TL were included in this randomized controlled trial. Patients in the intervention group (n = 46) received access to the self-help exercise program with flexibility, range-of-motion and lymphedema exercises, and a self-care education program. Patients in the control group (n = 46) received access to the self-care education program only. Healthcare utilization (iMCQ), productivity losses (iPCQ), health status (EQ-5D-3L, EORTC QLU-C10D) and swallowing problems (SwalQol) were measured at baseline, 3- and 6-months follow-up. Hospital costs were extracted from medical files. Mean total costs and effects (quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) or SwalQol score) were compared with regression analyses using bias-corrected accelerated bootstrapping.

RESULTS

Mean total costs were non-significantly lower (-€685) and QALYs were significantly higher (+0.06) in the intervention compared to the control group. The probability that the intervention is less costly and more effective was 73%. Sensitivity analyses with adjustment for baseline costs and EQ-5D scores showed non-significantly higher costs (+€119 to +€364) and QALYs (+0.02 to +0.03). A sensitivity analysis using the QLU-C10D to calculate QALYs showed higher costs (+€741) and lower QALYs (-0.01) and an analysis that used the SwalQol showed higher costs (+€232) and higher effects (improvement of 6 points on a 0-100 scale).

CONCLUSION

ITwC is likely to be effective, but possibly at higher expenses.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NTR5255.

A Digital Patient Portal for Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Background: Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that requires a complex, differential, and lifelong treatment strategy, which involves high monitoring efforts and the accumulation of numerous medical data. A fast and broad availability of care, as well as patient-relevant data and a stronger integration of patients and participating care providers into the complex treatment process is desirable. The aim of the ERDF-funded project "Integrated Care Portal Multiple Sclerosis" (IBMS) was to develop a pathway-based care model and a corresponding patient portal for MS patients and health care professionals (HCPs) as a digital tool to deliver the care model. Methods: The patient portal was created according to a patient-centered design approach which involves both the patients' and the professionals' view. Buurmann's five iterative phases were integrated into a design science research process. A problem analysis focusing on functions and user interfaces was conducted through surveys and workshops with MS patients and HCPs. Based on this, the patient portal was refined and a prototype of the portal was implemented using an agile software development strategy. Results: HCPs and patients already use digital hardware and are open to new technologies. Nevertheless, they desire improved (digital) communication and coordination between care providers. Both groups require a number of functions for the patient portal, which were implemented in the prototype. Usability tests with patients and HCPs are planned to consider whether the portal is deemed as usable, acceptable as well as functional to prepare for any needed ameliorations. Discussion: After testing the patient portal for usability, acceptability, and functionality, it will most likely be a useful and high-quality electronic health (eHealth) tool for patient management from day care to telerehabilitation. It implements clinical pathways in a manner which is comprehensible for patients. Future developments of the patient portal modules could include additional diseases, the integration of quality management and privacy management tools, and the use of artificial intelligence to personalize treatment strategies.

Effectiveness of a guided self-help exercise program tailored to patients treated with total laryngectomy: Results of a multi-center randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effectiveness of a guided self-help exercise program on swallowing, speech, and shoulder problems in patients treated with total laryngectomy (TL).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This randomized controlled trial included patients treated with TL in the last 5 years. Patients were randomized into the intervention group (self-help exercise program with flexibility, range-of-motion and lymphedema exercises and self-care education program) or control group (self-care education program). Both groups completed measurements before and 3 and 6-months after randomization. The primary outcome was swallowing problems (SWAL-QOL). Secondary outcomes were speech problems (SHI), shoulder problems (SDQ), self-management (patient activation: PAM) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL: EORTC QLQ-C30/H&N35). Adherence was defined as moderate-high in case a patient exercised >1 per day. Linear mixed model analyses were conducted to investigate the effectiveness of the intervention and to investigate whether neck dissection, treatment indication (primary/salvage TL), time since treatment, severity of problems, and preferred format (online/booklet) moderated the effectiveness.

RESULTS

Moderate-high adherence to the exercise program was 59%. The intervention group (n = 46) reported less swallowing and communication problems over time compared to the control group (n = 46) (p-value = 0.013 and 0.004). No difference was found on speech, shoulder problems, patient activation and HRQOL. Time since treatment moderated the effectiveness on speech problems (p-value = 0.025): patients within 6 months after surgery benefitted most from the intervention. Being treated with a neck dissection, treatment indication, severity of problems and format did not moderate the effectiveness.

CONCLUSION

The guided self-help exercise program improves swallowing and communication.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NTR5255.

A Therapeutic Education Program for patients that underwent at temporary tracheotomy and total laryngectomy: leading to improved the "Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Assistance Path"

Background and aim of the study: Therapeutic education helps patients with a chronic disease to acquire and maintain the ability to live their life while handling their illness. Patients with temporary medium-term tracheotomy or permanent tracheostomy need to acquire skills to be able to handle the stoma, tracheal tube, related issues, and other apparatuses. This was the purpose of our therapeutic education program, which was aimed to take patients and caregiver to an efficient level of self-care. Methods: In 2018, was created a CME-accredited (Continuing Medical Education) “Workplace-based Learning Project” involving all the nurses in the Otolaryngology Head and Neck Operational Unit, along different specialists on the Disease Management Team, thereby forming an “Improvement Group”. We established parallel workgroups for bibliography research on data-based like PubMed, Cinahl, Cochrane, Google scholar, in order to obtain the information to write up a shared document. Results: We wrote out an Operational Protocol which lined up nursing skills – when handling patients with medium-term tracheotomy or tracheostomy – with scientific evidence. Our standard educational plan (customizable, based on each patient’s characteristics) promote the patient’s learning with respect to self-care. Conclusions: This project has set the basis for the improvement of the quality of assistance given to the patients and therapeutic education provided them. It has encouraged the development of the skills of the nurses involved, along with their motivation, and their integration on the Disease Management Team. But, it will be necessary in the future to further evaluate the effectiveness of the program in terms of self-care. (www.actabiomedica.it)

"Future Patient" Telerehabilitation for Patients With Heart Failure: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality worldwide, accounting for 13%-15% of all deaths. Cardiac rehabilitation has poor compliance and adherence. Telerehabilitation has been introduced to increase patients’ participation, access, and adherence with the help of digital technologies. The target group is patients with heart failure. A telerehabilitation program called “Future Patient” has been developed and consists of three phases: (1) titration of medicine (0-3 months), (2) implementation of the telerehabilitation protocols (3 months), and (3) follow-up with rehabilitation in everyday life (6 months). Patients in the Future Patient program measure their blood pressure, pulse, weight, number of steps taken, sleep, and respiration and answer questions online regarding their well-being. All data are transmitted and accessed in the HeartPortal by patients and health care professionals.

Objective

The aim of this paper is to describe the research design, outcome measures, and data collection techniques in the clinical test of the Future Patient Telerehabilitation Program for patients with heart failure.

Methods

A randomized controlled study will be performed. The intervention group will follow the Future Patient Telerehabilitation program, and the control group will follow the traditional cardiac rehabilitation program. The primary outcome is quality of life measured by the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes are development of clinical data; illness perception; motivation; anxiety and depression; health and electronic health literacy; qualitative exploration of patients’, spouses’, and health care professionals’ experiences of participating in the telerehabilitation program; and a health economy evaluation of the program. Outcomes were assessed using questionnaires and through the data generated by digital technologies.

Results

Data collection began in December 2016 and will be completed in October 2019. The study results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences. Results from the Future Patient Telerehabilitation program are expected to be published by the spring of 2020.

Conclusions

The expected outcomes are increased quality of life, increased motivation and illness perception, reduced anxiety and depressions, improved electronic health literacy, and health economics benefits. We expect the study to have a clinical impact for future telerehabilitation of patients with heart failure.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03388918; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03388918

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/14517

Health-related and cancer-related Internet use by patients treated with total laryngectomy

Objectives

To investigate among patients treated with a total laryngectomy (TL) (1) Internet-use and Internet use to search for information on health and cancer (content); (2) which patients are most likely to use the Internet in general, for health-related and cancer-related purposes; (3) which other types of eHealth (community, communication, care) are used; and (4) preferences towards future use.

Methods

Patient members of the Dutch TL patient society were asked to complete a questionnaire on Internet use, health-related and cancer-related Internet use, types of eHealth, preferences towards future use, socio-demographics, clinical factors, and quality of life (QOL). Factors associated with Internet use and health-related and cancer-related Internet use were investigated using stepwise logistic regression analysis.

Results

In total, 279 TL patients participated, of whom 68% used the Internet. Of these, 63% used the Internet to search for information on health and 49% on cancer. Younger and higher educated TL patients and those with better QOL used the Internet more often. Patients with worse QOL searched more often for health-related information. Younger patients and those with shorter time since TL searched more often for cancer-related information. The current use of eHealth for communication, community, and care purposes among Internet users was limited (range, 2 to 15%). Many were interested in using these types of eHealth in the future (range, 21 to 72%).

Conclusion

The majority used the Internet, especially to search for information on health and cancer, but only few for communication, community, or care purposes. Many were interested in future use.

Participatory Methods to Engage Health Service Users in the Development of Electronic Health Resources: Systematic Review

Background

When health service providers (HSP) plan to develop electronic health (eHealth) resources for health service users (HSU), the latter’s involvement is essential. Typically, however, HSP, HSU, and technology developers engaged to produce the resources lack expertise in participatory design methodologies suited to the eHealth context. Furthermore, it can be difficult to identify an established method to use, or determine how to work stepwise through any particular process.

Objective

We sought to summarize the evidence about participatory methods and frameworks used to engage HSU in the development of eHealth resources from the beginning of the design process.

Methods

We searched for studies reporting participatory processes in initial development of eHealth resources from 2006 to 2016 in 9 bibliographic databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Emcare, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ACM Guide to Computing Literature, and IEEE Xplore. From 15,117 records initially screened on title and abstract for relevance to eHealth and early participatory design, 603 studies were assessed for eligibility on full text. The remaining 90 studies were rated by 2 reviewers using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool Version 2011 (Pluye et al; MMAT) and analyzed with respect to health area, purpose, technology type, and country of study. The 30 studies scoring 90% or higher on MMAT were included in a detailed qualitative synthesis.

Results

Of the 90 MMAT-rated studies, the highest reported (1) health areas were cancer and mental disorders, (2) eHealth technologies were websites and mobile apps, (3) targeted populations were youth and women, and (4) countries of study were the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Of the top 30 studies the highest reported participatory frameworks were User-Centered Design, Participatory Action Research Framework, and the Center for eHealth Research and Disease Management (CeHRes) Roadmap, and the highest reported model underpinning development and engagement was Social Cognitive Theory. Of the 30 studies, 4 reported on all the 5 stages of the CeHRes Roadmap.

Conclusions

The top 30 studies yielded 24 participatory frameworks. Many studies referred to using participatory design methods without reference to a framework. The application of a structured framework such as the CeHRes Roadmap and a model such as Social Cognitive Theory creates a foundation for a well-designed eHealth initiative that ensures clarity and enables replication across participatory design projects. The framework and model need to be clearly articulated and address issues that include resource availability, responsiveness to change, and the criteria for good practice. This review creates an information resource for future eHealth developers, to guide the design of their eHealth resource with a framework that can support further evaluation and development.

Trial Registration

PROSPERO CRD42017053838; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=53838

Listening to the patients: using participatory design in the development of a cardiac telerehabilitation web portal

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of all deaths worldwide. Cardiac rehabilitation is an effective approach for preventing secondary complications, but it remains a complex intervention because of the need for lifestyle changes. One solution is to employ interactive telerehabilitation or eHealth web portals. However, these have not been implemented as intended by developers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the design and usability of a cardiac telerehabilitation web portal, called the 'HeartPortal', for use among heart failure (HF) patients.

METHODS

The HeartPortal was designed using participatory design (PD). The design process involved HF patients, their relatives, healthcare professionals (HCP), healthcare company specialists and researchers. Self-determination theory (SDT) was used to enable the design to elicit intrinsic motivation within the patients. With eHealth literacy skills in mind, the goal of the HeartPortal was to successfully target the end-users. The PD process and data collection techniques included cultural probes, workshops, participant-observation, questionnaires, and problem-solving tasks.

RESULTS

The PD process helped us design an interactive web portal, the HeartPortal. Based on participants' feedback, the design incorporated features such as being able to make notes and to communicate with HCP, view data from self-tracking devices in a graphic form, and to obtain information on rehabilitation in the form of text, audio, and video. More than half of those testing the HeartPortal found that it was easy to navigate, and most of the users stated that it had an excellent structure and that using it could possibly improve their condition.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the HeartPortal was found to be logical and easy to navigate and will now be tested in a clinical trial within the Future Patient Telerehabilitation Program.

Development of an mHealth Application for Women Newly Diagnosed with Osteoporosis without Preceding Fractures: A Participatory Design Approach

mHealth is a useful tool to improve health outcome within chronic disease management. However, mHealth is not implemented in the field of postmenopausal osteoporosis even though it is a major worldwide health challenge. Therefore, this study aims to design and develop an mHealth app to support women in self-management of osteoporosis when they are diagnosed without preceding fractures. Participatory design is conducted in three phases. Based on identified needs in the first phase, a prototype is designed and developed in an iterative process in the second phase before the mHealth app is tested in the third phase. This paper focuses on the user activities in phase two and describes how a team of researchers, women, physicians, healthcare professionals, and app designers are involved in the participatory design process. The study shows that participatory design is a viable approach when developing an mHealth app for women with asymptomatic osteoporosis. Results obtained from the workshops and laboratory tests demonstrate the importance of feedback from users in the iterative process, as well as the participation of users and app designers in workshops and laboratory tests to enable mutual learning when developing new mHealth solutions. The regular member-checks and involvement of users helped to identify challenges associated with providing healthcare services through an app.

Effectiveness and cost-utility of a guided self-help exercise program for patients treated with total laryngectomy: protocol of a multi-center randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Total laryngectomy with or without adjuvant (chemo)radiation often induces speech, swallowing and neck and shoulder problems. Speech, swallowing and shoulder exercises may prevent or diminish these problems. The aim of the present paper is to describe the study, which is designed to investigate the effectiveness and cost-utility of a guided self-help exercise program built into the application "In Tune without Cords" among patients treated with total laryngectomy.

METHODS/DESIGN

Patients, up to 5 years earlier treated with total laryngectomy with or without (chemo)radiation will be recruited for participation in this study. Patients willing to participate will be randomized to the intervention or control group (1:1). Patients in the intervention group will be provided access to a guided self-help exercise program and a self-care education program built into the application "In Tune without Cords". Patients in the control group will only be provided access to the self-care education program. The primary outcome is the difference in swallowing quality (SWAL-QOL) between the intervention and control group. Secondary outcome measures address speech problems (SHI), shoulder disability (SDQ), quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-H&N35 and EQ-5D), direct and indirect costs (adjusted iMCQ and iPCQ measures) and self-management (PAM). Patients will be asked to complete these outcome measures at baseline, immediately after the intervention or control period (i.e. at 3 months follow-up) and at 6 months follow-up.

DISCUSSION

This randomized controlled trial will provide knowledge on the effectiveness of a guided self-help exercise program for patients treated with total laryngectomy. In addition, information on the value for money of such an exercise program will be provided. If this guided self-help program is (cost)effective for patients treated with total laryngectomy, the next step will be to implement this exercise program in current clinical practice.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NTR5255 Protocol version 4 date September 2015.