RESUMO
BACKGROUND: A specific eHealth device, a surf tablet, was developed for bridging between advanced in-hospital care and children's homes. Since little is known about determinators for parental eHealth usage, the study's aim was to explore if parents' usage of the device was associated with their eHealth literacy, or their satisfaction with their child's healthcare or with the specific surf tablet. METHODS: In this explorative usage and questionnaire study, parents to neonates who were discharged home after advanced in-hospital care were included. Their surf tablet usage at maximum 30 days after discharge was reported as frequency (%) of active days (usage days/days having the device) and median number of tablet activities (chat and photo) per usage day. eHealth literacy (eHealth Literacy Questionnaire; eHLQ), healthcare satisfaction (PedsQL Healthcare Satisfaction Generic Module), and satisfaction with the surf tablet were explored regarding tablet usage. Statistics were described in median (range) and (%) using non-parametric and regression models (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Parents to 32 children (11 premature, 21 operated) were included. Active days with eHealth communication using the device was 39% (9.0/29.5), with 2.0 (1.0-4.2) usage occasions per active day. Activity on the tablet was higher among parents reporting to be very satisfied or satisfied with the device (n = 25) compared with neutral/dissatisfied parents (n = 7) (2.8 vs. 2.2 vs. 1.6 activities) (p = 0.030), while their frequency of active days did not differ (31.6% vs. 38.3% vs. 40%) (p = 0.963). A higher eHealth literacy was not associated with frequency of active days (0.926 (0.652-1.317); p = 0.659) or number of eHealth activities (0.973 (0.758-1.250); p = 0.825). Healthcare satisfaction was not associated with higher frequency of active days 0.996 (0.983-1.009; p = 0.519); neither was number of eHealth activities 1.001 (0.991-1.011; p = 0.883). CONCLUSION: In this study, eHealth usage was associated with parental satisfaction with the specific eHealth device, but not with eHealth literacy or healthcare satisfaction. To assure equal access to healthcare when using eHealth, the user-friendliness of the device seems to be crucial, and technical support needs to be in place. GOV REGISTRATION IDENTIFIER: NCT04150120 (04/11/2019).
Assuntos
Letramento em Saúde , Telemedicina , Criança , Recém-Nascido , Humanos , Alfabetização , Pais , Inquéritos e Questionários , Satisfação Pessoal , ComprimidosRESUMO
The costly and complex needs for children with long-term illness are challenging. Safe eHealth communication is warranted to facilitate health improvement and care services. This mixed-methods study aimed to describe parents' usage and experiences of communicating with professionals during hospital-to-home-transition after their child's preterm birth or surgery for colorectal malformations, using an eHealth device, specifically designed for communication and support via nurses at the hospital. The eHealth devices included the possibility for daily reports, video calls, text messaging, and sending images. Interviews with 25 parents were analyzed with qualitative content analysis. Usage data from eHealth devices were compiled from database entries and analyzed statistically. Parents using the eHealth device expressed reduced worry and stress during the initial period at home through effective and safe communication. Benefits described included keeping track of their child's progress and having easy access to support whenever needed. This was corroborated by usage data indicating that contact was made throughout the day, and more among families living far away from hospital. The eHealth device potentially replaced phone calls and prevented unnecessary visits. The eHealth technique can aid safe self-treatment within child- and family-centered care in neonatal and pediatric surgery treatment. Future research may consider organization perspectives and health economics.
