Opinions and priorities for an e-health platform: A member consultation from an intensive care patient organisation

Anna Zacharelou; Mel Major; Puck van der Meer; Marike van der Schaaf; Lilian Vloet; Margo M C van Mol

doi:10.1016/j.aucc.2024.03.009

Opinions and priorities for an e-health platform: A member consultation from an intensive care patient organisation

Aust Crit Care. 2024 May 9:S1036-7314(24)00079-1. doi: 10.1016/j.aucc.2024.03.009. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Anna Zacharelou¹, Mel Major², Puck van der Meer¹, Marike van der Schaaf³, Lilian Vloet⁴, Margo M C van Mol⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Intensive Care Adults, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Master of Clinical Psychology, Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences. Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
² Faculty of Health, Department of Physical Therapy, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Faculty of Health, Center of Expertise Urban Vitality, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Ageing and Vitality, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
³ Faculty of Health, Department of Physical Therapy, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Faculty of Health, Center of Expertise Urban Vitality, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
⁴ Foundation Family and Patient Centered Intensive Care (FCIC) Including Patient Organization IC Connect, the Netherlands.
⁵ Department of Intensive Care Adults, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Master of Clinical Psychology, Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences. Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Foundation Family and Patient Centered Intensive Care (FCIC) Including Patient Organization IC Connect, the Netherlands. Electronic address: m.vanmol@erasmusmc.nl.

PMID: 38724410
DOI: 10.1016/j.aucc.2024.03.009

Abstract

Background: To prevent deterioration after admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), and to improve rehabilitation, the ICU team should use digital technologies to provide comprehensive and practical information alongside personalised support for survivors and their family members. However, a knowledge gap exists on the users' preferences for such an e-health platform in ICU follow-up services.

Objectives: This study aims to explore the opinions and priorities for an e-health platform, including choices in digital elements, according to survivors of critical illness and their family members.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was used among members and other interested individuals of the Dutch volunteer organisation 'Foundation Family- and Patient-Centred Intensive Care'. An investigator-developed questionnaire was disseminated through the newsletter and social media channels of the Foundation Family- and Patient-Centred Intensive Care. The results of this member consultation were analysed and reported as descriptive statistics on demographic variables and outcome measures in opinions and priorities of the participants.

Results: Most of the 227 participants were female (76%), aged 46-55 years (33%), and completed higher education (70%). The participants reported high confidence in advice delivered through an e-health platform (72%). They prioritised the provision of a guide including relevant professionals who may support them during their recovery when using an e-health platform.

Conclusions: ICU survivors prioritised the provision of relevant professionals who may support them during their recovery when using an e-health platform; however, selection bias means the population studied is likely to be more digitally connected than the general ICU population. Digital solutions could cater to their information and support needs. For family members, the highest priority reported was receiving help in managing their emotional distress. The development of an e-health platform considering the opinions and priorities of this target group could contribute to a personalised recovery trajectory promoting self-management while including digital elements addressing relevant ICU follow-up services.

Keywords: (ICU) follow-up services; Digital; Intensive care unit; Postintensive care syndrome; Rehabilitation; e-health.