Insufficient behavioral change skill hampers adoption of ehealth services

This study aims to get, starting from behavioural change theories, a better understanding of the perceptions of patients regarding their own responsibility for promoting their health and to translate this into requirements for development and implementation of eHealth services. Nineteen patients with Diabetes Type 2 and nine older adults (>65 years) with lower limb or hip fracture were interviewed. The topic list was based on the Self-Determination Theory, the Theory of Change and the Social Cognitive Theory and included Autonomy, Relatedness, Competence, Motivation, Skills and Knowledge. Results show that both patient groups have insufficient knowledge about proper health management. In addition, patients with Diabetes Type 2 appear to be insufficiently motivated for life style changes with outcomes that become apparent mainly in long-term. Patients with lower limb or hip fractures are in contrast highly motivated but lack autonomy, competence and skills. Both patients groups feel positively influenced by relatives, rely to a large extent on or have a wish for more in depth involvement of the professionals. These issues will probably hamper patients from becoming proactive in improving their health and using technology but are expected to be solvable when addressed in the development of the technologies as well as with implementing in daily health care