[What Motivates Patients with Atopic Diseases to Search the Internet-a focus Group Study on Expectations and Demands]

Overview

Journal Hautarzt

Specialty Dermatology

Date 2018 Aug 15

PMID 30105503

Authors

K Drixler

E Luntz

R Wiedemann

J Lander

I Schafer

J Schmitt

M-L Dierks

E M Bitzer

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: People affected by allergies with mild-to-moderate symptoms are often not treated adequately, despite the availability of prevention and self-therapy measures. Given their good and quick accessibility when seeking information, evidence- and web-based services that are user-friendly may strengthen a more independent way of handling an allergy and may also increase health literacy. In order for such services to be found and read, developers and providers need to know about information needs, demands and users' behavior.

Objectives: On which occasions does the target group search for allergy-specific information? Which preferences and demands do affected persons have regarding a web-based service?

Materials And Methods: Three individual interviews and four focus groups with 37 participants (19-81 years; hay fever, n = 30; asthma, n = 17; eczema, n = 15) were conducted in four German cities. These were recorded and transcribed verbatim. A multiprofessional team developed a system for coding the texts (two independent encoders, MAXQDA analysis software).

Results: Those who are affected usually seek information only in case of a concrete need for action. Impulses are, among others, symptoms, suggestions from the social environment, the beginning of the allergy season or an allergy-related contact with the health system. A web-based service should primarily include information about treatment options, provide individualized support for everyday life action strategies, and promote adequate self-management skills.

Discussion: In order to promote self-management skills, a web-based service should focus on allergy symptoms, treatment options and day-to-day help.

References

Schmitt J, Stadler E, Kuster D, Wustenberg E . Medical care and treatment of allergic rhinitis: a population-based cohort study based on routine healthcare utilization data. Allergy. 2016; 71(6):850-8. DOI: 10.1111/all.12838. View

Pohontsch N, Muller V, Brandner S, Karlheim C, Junger S, Klindtworth K . [Group Discussions in Health Services Research - Part 1: Introduction and Deliberations on Selection of Method and Planning]. Gesundheitswesen. 2017; 80(10):864-870. DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-104379. View

Schmitt J, Schwarz K, Stadler E, Wustenberg E . Allergy immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis effectively prevents asthma: Results from a large retrospective cohort study. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2015; 136(6):1511-1516. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2015.07.038. View

Stamer M, Guthlin C, Holmberg C, Karbach U, Patzelt C, Meyer T . [Qualitative Research in Health Services Research - Discussion Paper, Part 3: Quality of Qualitative Research]. Gesundheitswesen. 2015; 77(12):966-75. DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1565235. View

Augustin M, Franzke N, Beikert F, Stadler R, Reusch M, Schmitt J . Allergies in Germany -- prevalence and perception by the public. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2013; 11(6):514-20. DOI: 10.1111/j.1610-0387.2012.08049.x. View

Diviani N, van den Putte B, Meppelink C, van Weert J . Exploring the role of health literacy in the evaluation of online health information: Insights from a mixed-methods study. Patient Educ Couns. 2016; 99(6):1017-25. DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2016.01.007. View

Kayser L, Kushniruk A, Osborne R, Norgaard O, Turner P . Enhancing the Effectiveness of Consumer-Focused Health Information Technology Systems Through eHealth Literacy: A Framework for Understanding Users' Needs. JMIR Hum Factors. 2016; 2(1):e9. PMC: 4797661. DOI: 10.2196/humanfactors.3696. View

Seidel G, Munch I, Dreier M, Borutta B, Walter U, Dierks M . [Are German information materials on colorectal cancer screening understandable or do they fail? Rating of health information by users with different educational backgrounds]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz. 2014; 57(3):366-79. DOI: 10.1007/s00103-013-1908-x. View

Langen U, Schmitz R, Steppuhn H . [Prevalence of allergic diseases in Germany: results of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1)]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz. 2013; 56(5-6):698-706. DOI: 10.1007/s00103-012-1652-7. View

10.

Cvetkovski B, Kritikos V, Yan K, Bosnic-Anticevich S . Tell me about your hay fever: a qualitative investigation of allergic rhinitis management from the perspective of the patient. NPJ Prim Care Respir Med. 2018; 28(1):3. PMC: 5780471. DOI: 10.1038/s41533-018-0071-0. View

11.

Zschorlich B, Gechter D, Janssen I, Swinehart T, Wiegard B, Koch K . [Health information on the Internet: Who is searching for what, when and how?]. Z Evid Fortbild Qual Gesundhwes. 2015; 109(2):144-52. DOI: 10.1016/j.zefq.2015.03.003. View

12.

Powell J, Inglis N, Ronnie J, Large S . The characteristics and motivations of online health information seekers: cross-sectional survey and qualitative interview study. J Med Internet Res. 2011; 13(1):e20. PMC: 3221342. DOI: 10.2196/jmir.1600. View