Web-based aftercare following in-patient care is essential for maintaining the effects of medical procedures and stabilising the health of patients in the long run. However, patient attitudes can create barriers to smooth implementation.
Researchers at the Medical Centre of the Gutenberg University in Mainz conducted a study to determine the extent of acceptance of web-based aftercare among patients in in-patient care. They also identified potential barriers and driving forces to guide implementation of electronic aftercare tools in different subpopulations, based on diagnosis and disease type. Acceptance was generally low, but higher scores were recorded among adolescent patient groups. Stress and different social conditions were associated with lower acceptance scores, pointing to areas of focus for improvements.
From the report: ‘’Expectations, social environment attitude, and negative experience with permanent availability influence eHealth acceptance. Improving implementation, therefore, means increasing eHealth experience and literacy and facilitating positive attitudes in patients and health professionals through education and reduction of misconceptions about effectiveness or usability.”
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