Cited 1 times since 2021 (0.4 per year) source: Scopus Journal of medical Internet research, Volume 23, Issue 10, 15 3 2021, Pages e25646 Facilitators of and Barriers to Lifestyle Support and eHealth Solutions: Interview Study Among Health Care Professionals Working in Cardiac Care. Cohen Rodrigues TR, de Buisonjé DR, Keesman M, Reijnders T, van der Geer JE, Janssen VR, Janssen VR, Kraaijenhagen RA, Atsma DE, Evers AWM
Background
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) pose a significant health threat and reduce both people's life expectancy and quality of life. Healthy living is a key component in the effective prevention and treatment of CVD. However, health care professionals (HCPs) experience difficulties in supporting lifestyle changes among their patients. eHealth can provide a solution to these barriers.
Objective
This study aims to provide insights into the factors HCPs find important in the support of patients with CVD in the uptake of and adherence to a healthy lifestyle and the perceived facilitators of and barriers to using eHealth to provide lifestyle support to patients with CVD.
Methods
In-depth interviews were conducted with 16 Dutch HCPs specializing in lifestyle support in cardiac care.
Results
We identified 13 themes, of which the first 12 concerned lifestyle support in general and were related to intervention, patient, or health care. Throughout these themes, the use of eHealth reoccurred as a potential facilitator of or solution to barriers to lifestyle support. Our final theme specifically concerned barriers to the adoption and usability of eHealth.
Conclusions
HCPs do recognize the potential advantages of eHealth while experiencing barriers to using digital tools. Incorporating their needs and values in the development of lifestyle support programs, especially eHealth, could increase their use and lead to a more widespread adoption of eHealth into health care.
