The Codevelopment of "My Kidneys & Me": A Digital Self-management Program for People With Chronic Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND: Health care self-management is important for people living with nondialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the few available resources are of variable quality. OBJECTIVE: This work describes the systematic codevelopment of "My Kidneys & Me" (MK&M), a theory-driven and evidence-based digital self-management resource for people with nondialysis CKD, guided by an established process used for the successful development of the diabetes education program MyDESMOND (Diabetes Education and Self-Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed, DESMOND). METHODS: A multidisciplinary steering group comprising kidney health care professionals and researchers and specialists in the development of complex interventions and digital health provided expertise in the clinical and psychosocial aspects of CKD, self-management, digital health, and behavior change. A patient and public involvement group helped identify the needs and priorities of MK&M and co-design the resource. MK&M was developed in 2 sequential phases. Phase 1 involved the codevelopment process of the MK&M resource (content and materials), using Intervention Mapping (IM) as a framework. The first 4 IM steps guided the development process: needs assessment was conducted to describe the context of the intervention; intervention outcomes, performance objectives, and behavioral determinants were identified; theory- and evidence-based change methods and practical strategies to deliver change methods were selected; and program components were developed and refined. Phase 2 involved the adoption and adaptation of the existing MyDESMOND digital platform to suit the MK&M resource. RESULTS: The needs assessment identified that individuals with CKD have multiple differing needs and that delivering a self-management program digitally would enable accessible, tailored, and interactive information and support. The intended outcomes of MK&M were to improve and maintain effective self-management behaviors, including physical activity and lifestyle, improve knowledge, promote self-care skills, increase self-efficacy, and enhance well-being. This was achieved through the provision of content and materials designed to increase CKD knowledge and patient activation, reduce health risks, manage symptoms, and improve physical function. Theories and behavior change techniques selected include Self-Management Framework, Capability, Opportunity, Motivation Behavior model components of Behaviour Change Wheel and taxonomy of behavior change techniques, Health Action Process Approach Model, Common Sense Model, and Social Cognitive Theory. The program components developed comprised educational and behavior change sessions, health trackers (eg, monitoring blood pressure, symptoms, and exercise), goal-setting features, and forums for social support. The MyDESMOND digital platform represented an ideal existing platform to host MK&M; thus, the MyDESMOND interface and features were adopted and adapted for MK&M. CONCLUSIONS: Applying the IM framework enabled the systematic application of theory, empirical evidence, and practical perspectives in the codevelopment of MK&M content and materials. Adopting and adapting a preexisting platform provided a cost- and time-efficient approach for developing our digital intervention. In the next stage of work, the efficacy of MK&M in increasing patient activation will be tested in a randomized controlled trial.

An exploratory, descriptive study of women's experiences of hospital admission during pre-term labor.

BACKGROUND: Rarely have women's experiences of admission to hospital during pre-term labor (PTL) been described from their own perspective. This study aimed to address this issue using qualitative methods. METHODS: The views of 8 women admitted to hospital with PTL were obtained through semi-structured interviews. Issues explored included understanding of their condition, expectations concerning delivery, and their views about hospital admission. RESULTS: A key aspect of women's experiences concerned their search for meaning to help them make sense of their sudden and unexpected hospital admission. Several women continued to feel anxious despite assurances from staff that everything was 'OK', whereas others had overcome initial anxiety and were excited about the imminent birth. There was consensus that the information received whilst in hospital was inconsistent, and some women believed that their concerns were being 'ignored'. Some women attributed PTL to daily stress, such as working long hours. Social support from women's mothers and other patients appeared important. Several women had been ambivalent about their pregnancy in the early stages, but were now in a place of acceptance. Two women reported previous childbirth experiences that were viewed as distressing. PTL had motivated some women to re-evaluate their lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS: Women admitted to hospital in PTL could be assisted in their search for meaning by provision of consistent information, having their views acknowledged, satisfactory social support, and dealing with any previous history of perceived traumatic birth experiences.

Self-management approaches for people with chronic conditions: a review.

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of self-management approaches for people with chronic conditions. The literature reviewed was assessed in terms of the nature of the self-management approach and the effectiveness. Findings are discussed under the headings of: chronic conditions targeted, country where intervention was based, type of approach (e.g. format, content, tutor, setting), outcomes and effectiveness. The last of these focused on reports of randomised controlled studies.