Nicol Nijland|Julia E.W.C. van Gemert?Pijnen|Saskia M. Kelders|Bart Brandenburg|E.R. Seydel
Factors Influencing the Use of a Web-Based Application for Supporting the Self-Care of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Longitudinal Study
University of Twente|University of Twente|University of Twente|University of Twente|University of Twente
background takeup ehealth applications general still rather low user attrition often high limited information available use ehealth technologies among specific patient groups objective aim study explore factors influence initial longterm use webbased application diabetescoach supporting selfcare patients type 2 diabetes methods mixedmethods research design used process analysis actual usage web application 2year period identify user profiles research instruments included log files interviews usability tests survey results diabetescoach predominantly used interactive features like online monitoring personal data patient8211nurse email contact continuous personal feedback particularly appealed patients felt closely monitored nurse encouraged play active role selfmanaging disease despite positive outcomes usage web application hindered low enrollment nonusage attrition main barrier enrollment lack access internet 146226 65 although 68 3450 enrollees continuous users 32 1650 could defined hardcore users highly active remaining 32 1650 continue using web application full duration study period barriers longterm use primarily due poor userfriendliness web application absence 8220push8221 factors reminders selection 8220wrong8221 users wellregulated patients ones could benefit system use ceiling effect patients greater need care seemed engaged longterm use highly active users significantly often medication users lowinactive users p 005 longer diabetes duration p 03 conclusion innovations health care diffuse rapidly technology employed simple use applicable components interactivity would foresee patients8217 need continuous personalized feedback particular patients greater need care study several factors appear influence increased use ehealth technologies 1 avoiding selective enrollment 2 making use participatory design methods 3 developing push factors persistence research focus causal relationship using system8217s features actual usage view would provide important evidence specific technology features engage captivate users