Parents’ understanding and attitudes toward the use of the WeChat platform for postoperative follow-up management of children with congenital heart disease

Abstract Objective This study aimed to investigate parents’ understanding and attitudes toward using the WeChat platform for postoperative follow-up management of children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods A total of 196 children with CHD were followed up using the WeChat platform. A self...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Wen-Hao Lin, Yu-Kun Chen, Shi-Hao Lin, Hua Cao, Qiang Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2023-02-01
Series:Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13019-023-02153-0
Description
Summary:Abstract Objective This study aimed to investigate parents’ understanding and attitudes toward using the WeChat platform for postoperative follow-up management of children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods A total of 196 children with CHD were followed up using the WeChat platform. A self-designed questionnaire was administered to their parents at discharge. Results Only 188 parents completed the questionnaire. One hundred nineteen parents (63.3%) confirmed that they heard about using the WeChat platform for postoperative follow-up, and 104 (87.4%) of them expressed that they were willing to accept the WeChat platform for their follow-up. A total of 42 parents (35.3%) were willing to undergo a follow-up of 1 to 3 months, and 32 (26.8%) were willing to undergo a long-term follow-up. Eighty parents (67.2%) had a positive attitude toward the effect of the WeChat platform on follow-up. Parents in rural areas and those educated at the middle school level or below were more willing to engage with the WeChat platform for postoperative follow-up management (P < 0.05). Conclusions Although the WeChat platform is an essential tool for daily communication, its application in postoperative follow-up management is still under study. Most parents who participated in the follow-up study had a positive attitude toward the WeChat platform, especially those in rural areas and with lower education levels.
ISSN:1749-8090