Trial reportBMC medical informatics and decision making2011
Phase 1 pilot study of e-mail support for people with long term conditions using the Internet.
Trial report in BMC medical informatics and decision making, 2011. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed.
- Accuracy of geographically targeted internet advertisements on Google AdWords for recruitment in a randomized trial.Journal of medical Internet research · 2012Trial
- Using Social Media While Waiting in Pain: A Clinical 12-Week Longitudinal Pilot Study.JMIR research protocols · 2015Article
- The role of information system in multiple sclerosis management.Journal of research in medical sciences : the official journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences · 2014Review
- Information prescriptions, 1930-2013: an international history and comprehensive review.Journal of the Medical Library Association : JMLA · 2014Review
- Patients' reported reasons for non-use of an internet-based patient-provider communication service: qualitative interview study.Journal of medical Internet research · 2013Article
- Collaborative learning about e-health for mental health professionals and service users in a structured anonymous online short course: pilot study.BMC medical education · 2012Article
- Costs and difficulties of recruiting patients to provide e-health support: pilot study in one primary care trust.BMC medical informatics and decision making · 2012Article
- Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundUse of the Internet for people with Long Term Conditions (LTCs) can have a positive effect on knowledge, social support, behavioural and clinical outcomes, yet there is concern that a 'digital divide' prevents some patients from benefitting. While some patients do not have access to the Internet, others that do may still lack expertise or the confidence to make full use of it. The aim of this pilot study was to develop an intervention and test methods for a definitive randomised controlled trial (RCT) of anonymous personal online email support for patients in this latter group.
methodsRecruitment success was evaluated by the number and appropriateness of participants recruited. A personalised e-health support intervention was developed. The provisional primary outcome was the extent to which the Internet affected the participants' confidence in dealing with their LTC. Primary outcome, seven process measures and two secondary outcomes measures were evaluated for completeness of data and sensitivity to detect changes.
resultsThirty nine participants were recruited, 29 after personally receiving a leaflet, seven via email advertising, and three via leaflets left in waiting areas. Most participants (61%) were aged over 60. The majority (21/38) rated themselves as experienced Internet users although only 5/38 had used discussion forums for their LTC. Piloting the intervention identified support needed as: (i) technical help with some websites, (ii) advice about issues such as anonymity, (iii) help in judging information quality, (iv) identification of relevant information (via 'Information Prescriptions'), (v) motivational support to try new sites. Attrition was fairly high: 20/39 completed follow up questionnaires. Three process measures showed ceiling effects and two had too many missing values to be useable.
conclusionE-health support is a promising way of addressing the problems faced by older generation e-health seekers. Face-to-face leaflet distribution recruited sufficient numbers but additional locations other than hospital should be tried to recruit Internet novices with LTCs. An RCT is feasible and necessary to evaluate the potential benefits of anonymous email support. Our methods could be used by other researchers studying Internet use by people with LTCs.
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