Development of an eHealth programme for self-management of persistent physical symptoms: a qualitative study on user needs in general practice
Abstract Background Persistent physical symptoms (PPS) are estimated to be present in 17% of patients in general practice. Hence, general practitioners (GPs) play a key role in both the diagnostic assessment and the management of PPS. However, research indicates a need to improve their strategies to...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2021-02-01
|
| Series: | BMC Family Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-021-01380-5 |
| _version_ | 1818235497440346112 |
|---|---|
| author | Mette Trøllund Rask Pernille Ravn Jakobsen Jane Clemensen Marianne Rosendal Lisbeth Frostholm |
| author_facet | Mette Trøllund Rask Pernille Ravn Jakobsen Jane Clemensen Marianne Rosendal Lisbeth Frostholm |
| author_sort | Mette Trøllund Rask |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Persistent physical symptoms (PPS) are estimated to be present in 17% of patients in general practice. Hence, general practitioners (GPs) play a key role in both the diagnostic assessment and the management of PPS. However, research indicates a need to improve their strategies to support self-help in patients, and eHealth tools may serve as an opportunity. This study aimed to explore patients’ and GPs’ needs related to self-management of PPS. The study was designed to inform the future development of eHealth interventions in this field. Methods This qualitative study was based on 20 semi-structured interviews (6 GPs and 14 patients with PPS). Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and analysed through a five-step thematic analysis approach. First, we conducted an inductive analysis to identify and explore emerging subthemes. Second, using a deductive mapping strategy, we categorised the derived subthemes according to the COM-B behaviour change model and its three domains: capability, opportunity and motivation. Results We identified eleven subthemes in the patient interviews and seven subthemes in the GP interviews. Several unmet needs emerged. First, we identified a need to consider PPS early in the illness trajectory by taking a bio-psycho-social approach. Second, both patients and GPs need better skills to manage uncertainty. Third, hope is important for the patients. Fourth, patients need guidance from their GP in how to self-manage their PPS. Conclusions This study provides important insight into key issues and needs related to capability, opportunity and motivation that should be addressed in the design of future eHealth self-management interventions targeting patients with PPS in general practice in order to support and improve care. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T11:54:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bd9ef50263c94ee6b0669856d1964db5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2296 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T11:54:55Z |
| publishDate | 2021-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Family Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-bd9ef50263c94ee6b0669856d1964db52022-12-22T00:25:13ZengBMCBMC Family Practice1471-22962021-02-0122111310.1186/s12875-021-01380-5Development of an eHealth programme for self-management of persistent physical symptoms: a qualitative study on user needs in general practiceMette Trøllund Rask0Pernille Ravn Jakobsen1Jane Clemensen2Marianne Rosendal3Lisbeth Frostholm4Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University HospitalResearch Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University HospitalHans Christian Andersen Children’s Hospital, Odense University HospitalResearch Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University HospitalResearch Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University HospitalAbstract Background Persistent physical symptoms (PPS) are estimated to be present in 17% of patients in general practice. Hence, general practitioners (GPs) play a key role in both the diagnostic assessment and the management of PPS. However, research indicates a need to improve their strategies to support self-help in patients, and eHealth tools may serve as an opportunity. This study aimed to explore patients’ and GPs’ needs related to self-management of PPS. The study was designed to inform the future development of eHealth interventions in this field. Methods This qualitative study was based on 20 semi-structured interviews (6 GPs and 14 patients with PPS). Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and analysed through a five-step thematic analysis approach. First, we conducted an inductive analysis to identify and explore emerging subthemes. Second, using a deductive mapping strategy, we categorised the derived subthemes according to the COM-B behaviour change model and its three domains: capability, opportunity and motivation. Results We identified eleven subthemes in the patient interviews and seven subthemes in the GP interviews. Several unmet needs emerged. First, we identified a need to consider PPS early in the illness trajectory by taking a bio-psycho-social approach. Second, both patients and GPs need better skills to manage uncertainty. Third, hope is important for the patients. Fourth, patients need guidance from their GP in how to self-manage their PPS. Conclusions This study provides important insight into key issues and needs related to capability, opportunity and motivation that should be addressed in the design of future eHealth self-management interventions targeting patients with PPS in general practice in order to support and improve care.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-021-01380-5eHealthGeneral practicePersistent physical symptomsMedically unexplained symptomsSelf-managementBehaviour change wheel |
| spellingShingle | Mette Trøllund Rask Pernille Ravn Jakobsen Jane Clemensen Marianne Rosendal Lisbeth Frostholm Development of an eHealth programme for self-management of persistent physical symptoms: a qualitative study on user needs in general practice BMC Family Practice eHealth General practice Persistent physical symptoms Medically unexplained symptoms Self-management Behaviour change wheel |
| title | Development of an eHealth programme for self-management of persistent physical symptoms: a qualitative study on user needs in general practice |
| title_full | Development of an eHealth programme for self-management of persistent physical symptoms: a qualitative study on user needs in general practice |
| title_fullStr | Development of an eHealth programme for self-management of persistent physical symptoms: a qualitative study on user needs in general practice |
| title_full_unstemmed | Development of an eHealth programme for self-management of persistent physical symptoms: a qualitative study on user needs in general practice |
| title_short | Development of an eHealth programme for self-management of persistent physical symptoms: a qualitative study on user needs in general practice |
| title_sort | development of an ehealth programme for self management of persistent physical symptoms a qualitative study on user needs in general practice |
| topic | eHealth General practice Persistent physical symptoms Medically unexplained symptoms Self-management Behaviour change wheel |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-021-01380-5 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mettetrøllundrask developmentofanehealthprogrammeforselfmanagementofpersistentphysicalsymptomsaqualitativestudyonuserneedsingeneralpractice AT pernilleravnjakobsen developmentofanehealthprogrammeforselfmanagementofpersistentphysicalsymptomsaqualitativestudyonuserneedsingeneralpractice AT janeclemensen developmentofanehealthprogrammeforselfmanagementofpersistentphysicalsymptomsaqualitativestudyonuserneedsingeneralpractice AT mariannerosendal developmentofanehealthprogrammeforselfmanagementofpersistentphysicalsymptomsaqualitativestudyonuserneedsingeneralpractice AT lisbethfrostholm developmentofanehealthprogrammeforselfmanagementofpersistentphysicalsymptomsaqualitativestudyonuserneedsingeneralpractice |