Adaptation of TECCU App Based on Patients´ Perceptions for the Telemonitoring of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Qualitative Study Using Focus Groups

Javier Del Hoyo, Pilar Nos, Raquel Faubel, Guillermo Bastida, Diana Muñoz, Elena Valero-Pérez, Alejandro Garrido-Marín, Pablo Bella, Beatriz Peña, Claudia Savini and Mariam Aguas
Additional contact information
Javier Del Hoyo: Gastroenterology Department, La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital, 46026 Valencia, Spain
Pilar Nos: Gastroenterology Department, La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital, 46026 Valencia, Spain
Raquel Faubel: Department of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Guillermo Bastida: Gastroenterology Department, La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital, 46026 Valencia, Spain
Diana Muñoz: Gastroenterology Department, La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital, 46026 Valencia, Spain
Elena Valero-Pérez: Gastroenterology Department, La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital, 46026 Valencia, Spain
Alejandro Garrido-Marín: Gastroenterology Department, La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital, 46026 Valencia, Spain
Pablo Bella: Confederation of associations for patients with Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis of Spain (ACCU), 28045 Madrid, Spain
Beatriz Peña: Confederation of associations for patients with Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis of Spain (ACCU), 28045 Madrid, Spain
Claudia Savini: Confederation of associations for patients with Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis of Spain (ACCU), 28045 Madrid, Spain
Mariam Aguas: Gastroenterology Department, La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital, 46026 Valencia, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 6, 1-17

Abstract: Background: Despite the continuous adaptation of eHealth systems for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a significant disconnection persists between users and developers. Since non-adherence remains high, it is necessary to better understand the patients’ perspective on telemonitoring for IBD. Accordingly, this study aimed to adapt the TECCU telemonitoring app to the preferences and needs of IBD patients. Methods: A qualitative study was carried out using successive focus groups of IBD patients. Meetings were audio-recorded and a thematic analysis was employed until data saturation was achieved. The first group included patients who had used the TECCU App in a pilot clinical trial, and subsequent meetings included patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis recruited from the Spanish Confederation of patient associations. The information collected at each meeting guided consecutive changes to the platform. Results: Data saturation was reached after three focus groups involving a total of 18 patients. Three main themes emerged: (1) platform usability, (2) the communication process, and (3) platform content. All participants indicated that TECCU is easy to use, permitting continuous and personalized feedback. According to patients´ perspectives, the platform was adapted to foster a flexible follow-up and shared decision-making using open and safe communication networks. Many participants appreciated the educational elements and, consequently, the app was connected to reliable and continuously updated webpages. Conclusions: IBD patients valued the usability and personalized monitoring offered by the TECCU App. Improvements in the messaging system and continuously updated educational content were introduced to address patients´ needs and favor their engagement.

Keywords: inflammatory bowel disease; qualitative research; focus groups; E-health; telemedicine (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/6/1871/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/6/1871/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:6:p:1871-:d:332130

Access Statistics for this article

IJERPH is currently edited by Ms. Jenna Liu

More articles in IJERPH from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().