The development, implementation and evaluation of a web-based care package, designed to facilitate self-management and engage patients with inflammatory bowel disease

  • Christopher Calvert

    Student thesis: Unknown

    Abstract

    IntroductionThere is an urgent need to find new ways of improving the quality and safety of healthcare whilst achieving efficiencies of service. E-health technologies offer exciting opportunities to support patients in managing chronic disease. Following continuous advances and increasing use, the Internet provides an ideal platform to empower patients. Previous studies have demonstrated that people taking a more active role in managing their health, experience improved outcomes.Based on these principles and funded by Crohn's and Colitis UK, a new web-based care package was designed for adults with inflammatory bowel disease. Specifically 'My IBD Portal' aimed to provide greater access to information, improved communication and encourage greater engagement. Following its implementation at a single centre NHS Trust, the new IBD patient portal was evaluated in the clinical setting.MethodsFollowing a literature review and significant patient involvement, 'My IBD Portal' was designed and implemented within a single centre setting. The system was evaluated over a 6-month period using a pre-post observational designed study. The primary objective was to examine patient experience. Usage, usability and satisfaction were measured. Secondary objectives included assessing factors that predicted use, analysed using logistic regression models. Changes in IBD knowledge, patient engagement, medication adherence and health utilisation were also explored using univariate analysis and multiple regression models.Results183 participants enrolled in the 6-month observational study. 63.4% of participants visited the IBD Portal more than once and were defined as users. In total there were 2080 individual visits to the Portal. The mean number of logins was 11.4 (SD 21.5) and median 3 (IQR 1-12). The mean duration of each visit was over 5 minutes. Individual use was highly variable. Approximately a quarter of participants never or only once used the IBD Portal, with an equal proportion visiting over 10 times. Satisfaction amongst users was high. 98% of respondents were either satisfied or very satisfied. 90% perceived the IBD Portal supported their management and 32% felt it helped with treatment decisions. An overwhelming majority expressed a desire to continue using the IBD Portal after completion of the study. Viewing test results (23%) was the most common section visited, followed by clinic letters (21%). 29% of participants reported sharing their access with a partner or family member. The qualitative data supported the quantitative findings. Many users expressed considerable benefit from online provision to their IBD health record.Comparing users to non-users, logistic regression modeling showed active disease was significantly associated with use. Changes in health outcomes were explored using both univariate and regression analyses. Following multiple regression modeling, an increase in patient activation was significantly associated with Portal use (p
    Date of Award31 Dec 2015
    Original languageEnglish
    Awarding Institution
    • The University of Manchester
    SupervisorJohn Mclaughlin (Supervisor) & Simon Lal (Supervisor)

    Keywords

    • inflammatory bowel disease
    • patient portal
    • self-management
    • ehealth

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