Converting and expanding a mobile support intervention: Focus group and field-testing findings from individuals in active tuberculosis treatment.

BACKGROUND: Non-adherence to tuberculosis (TB) treatment jeopardizes the individual's health and contributes to disease transmission and drug resistance. New patient-centered strategies are needed to improve TB treatment outcomes. PURPOSE: To convert and expand a texting-based intervention into a mobile optimized application (app), evaluate the feasibility of an added self-administered paper-based drug metabolite test, and identify needs and preferences to inform their iterative design. METHODS: Qualitative methods using focus groups and field testing with patients in active TB treatment were used to gather initial input on the converted intervention design, content and issues using at home test strips to report medication adherence. Seven participants were recruited from an outpatient clinic within a regional public reference hospital specialized in respiratory diseases in Argentina. Thematic analyses were conducted on the transcripts and session notes. RESULTS: Participants considered interactive communication, access to answers to frequently asked questions, and tracking of progress in treatment as important. Participants reported having many questions and uncertainties at initiation of treatment and emphasized a need for reliable information, assurance and support from both providers and peers. Other suggestions included streamlining the graphical user interface for easier and shorter data entry times and usability. CONCLUSIONS: Overall feedback from the participants regarding the intervention was positive, reporting that it was useful and relevant, and they were eager to contribute their ideas for improvement and additional functionality. Valuable feedback to improve functionality and meet the needs of end-users were obtained to inform the generation of new design ideas for refinement and testing in a pilot study.

Use of Patient Portals: Personal Health Information Management in Older Adults.

The personal health information management (PHIM) of older adults is poorly understood. We describe initial results from the SOARING (Studying Older Adults & Researching Information Needs and Goals) study at the University of Washington, a participatory design investigation of PHIM in older adults. We conducted in-depth interviews with older adults (n=71) living in a variety of residential settings. A surprising 21% of participants reported using patient portals. Another 17% of participants reported prior use or anticipated use of portals in the future. We identified preferences and needs as well as barriers and facilitators to portal use. Our findings indicate that patient portals designed to target the specific needs for older adults can suport PHIM. We offer recommendations for expanded research.

Use of Patient Portals for Personal Health Information Management: The Older Adult Perspective.

The personal health information management (PHIM) practices and needs of older adults are poorly understood. We describe initial results from the UW SOARING project (Studying Older Adults & Researching Information Needs and Goals), a participatory design investigation of PHIM in older adults (60 years and older). We conducted in-depth interviews with older adults (n=74) living in a variety of residential settings about their management of personal health information. A surprising 20% of participants report using patient portals and another 16% reported prior use or anticipated use of portals in the future. Participants cite ease of access to health information and direct communication with providers as valuable portal features. Barriers to the use of patient portals include a general lack of computer proficiency, high internet costs and security concerns. Design features based on consideration of needs and practices of older adults will facilitate appeal and maximize usability; both are elements critical to adoption of tools such as patient portals that can support older adults and PHIM.