CONSUMERS\u27 PERCEPTIONS OF A VIRTUAL HEALTH CHECK: AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION

After years of the development of information systems (IS) designed primarily for healthcare managers and professionals, there is an increasing interest in reaching consumers and patients directly through consumer health information technology (IT). Consumer-centric health information systems enable individuals to manage their health better and maintain a healthier lifestyle. However, the foremost challenge in developing systems for health behavior change is that there is modest knowledge of how individuals interact with these systems and how they process and act on information. In addition, technologies cannot have the capacity to help facilitate self-monitoring and self-management or improve consumers\u27 health outcomes if the consumers do not adopt them. The objective of this study is to investigate consumers? perceptions of a virtual health check. Specifically, we propose and test factors affecting perceived persuasiveness of the system and whether perceived persuasiveness predicts intention to adopt virtual health coaching. A theoretically driven research model is constructed, and a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach, namely partial least squares (PLS), is used to test the model against the data gathered from 130 subjects. The results of the study lend support to the proposed model. Studying the adoption, use, and impact of innovative consumer health IT is worthwhile, as it will guide future implementations

The effectiveness of email-based exercises in promoting psychological wellbeing and healthy lifestyle: a two-year follow-up study

Web-based interventions provide a possibility to enhance well-being in large groups of people. Only a few studies have studied the effectiveness of the interventions and there is no information on the sustainability of the effects. Study aims were to investigate both the short (2-month) and long-term (2-year) effects of email-based training for mental health and lifestyle.Peer reviewe

Patients, health information, and guidelines:a focus-group study

Background. Evidence-based clinical guidelines could support shared decision-making and help patients to participate actively in their care. However, it is not well known how patients view guidelines as a source of health information. This qualitative study aimed to assess what patients know about guidelines, and what they think of their presentation formats. Research question. What is the role of guidelines as health information for patients and how could the implementation of evidence-based information for patients be improved? Methods. A qualitative study with focus groups that were built around a semi-structured topic guide. Focus groups were audiotaped and transcribed and analysed using a phenomenographic approach. Results. Five focus groups were carried out in 2012 with a total of 23 participants. Patients searched for health information from the Internet or consulted health professionals or their personal networks. The concepts of guidelines included instructions or standards for health professionals, information given by a health professional to the patient, and material to protect and promote the interests of patients. Some patients did not have a concept for guidelines. Patients felt that health information was abundant and its quality sometimes difficult to assess. They respected conciseness, clarity, clear structure, and specialists or well-known organizations as authors of health information. Patients would like health professionals to deliver and clarify written materials to them or point out to them the relevant Internet sites. Conclusions. The concept of guidelines was not well known among our interviewees; however, they expressed an interest in having more communication on health information, both written information and clarifications with their health professionals

The effectiveness and applicability of different lifestyle interventions for enhancing wellbeing : the study design for a randomized controlled trial for persons with metabolic syndrome risk factors and psychological distress

Peer reviewe

Stroke: Working Toward a Prioritized World Agenda

The aim of the Synergium was to devise and prioritize new ways of accelerating progress in reducing the risks, effects, and consequences of stroke

Stroke: Working Toward a Prioritized World Agenda

The aim of the Synergium was to devise and prioritize new ways of accelerating progress in reducing the risks, effects, and consequences of stroke

Työtulvan hallinta terveysasemalla : Raportti terveysasematyön kehittämishankkeesta

Terveysasemien vastaanottotoiminnan työn arviointi- ja kehittämisprojekti Espoon Leppävaaran ja Viherlaakson terveysasemilla v. 199

USING HERMENEUTICS TO UNCOVER ANOMALIES FOR NON-ADOPTION OF BEHAVIOR CHANGE SUPPORT SYSTEMS

Technologies cannot help improve personal health if individuals do not use them. Information systems discipline has a strong heritage of technology adoption research. This case study introduces a behavior change support system (BCSS) aimed at improving health and well-being. Hermeneutics is used as a methodological approach to analyze open-ended responses from participants who had had an electronic health check but did not activate the following electronic health coaching. The data consist of textual feedback from a total of 2543 respondents. This article investigates the anomalies related to consumers’ non-adoption of a BCSS. The research question addressed in this study is: What can anomalies reveal about BCSS acceptance? According to our findings, a positive attitude toward the system does not automatically increase acceptance. Usefulness of the electronic health system can be seen from a self-development perspective rather than from instrumental value. Credibility of the system, usability, and technical issues are also important for BCSS acceptance. This study brings new insights to the research fields of technological acceptance and persuasive technology; additionally, it provides a valuable example of a hermeneutics methodology and how new knowledge can be retrieved studying anomalies