Older adults face unique barriers and challenges related to physical activity (PA) participation. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a commonly used health coaching strategy to support behavior change that holds potential for older adults. Previous research on MI strategies has focused primarily on face-to-face delivery, limiting insights regarding virtual programs.
The purpose of this study was to determine if MI could be delivered telephonically with high fidelity and high acceptability in older adult participants. The study is designed to inform future trials evaluating its effectiveness in supporting virtual PA programs.
This study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of telephonic MI among older adults that enrolled in an online version of the Walk with Ease program.
Of 39 participants referred, 29 enrolled and 27 provided feedback. Participants were highly accepting and adherent, with 74 % of patients attending at least five of six sessions, and 96 % of participants indicating satisfaction with the MI provided. Coaches improved program enjoyment by helping set effective goals and providing ongoing accountability.
Evaluations documented adequate fidelity and high acceptability of telephonic delivery, and motivation results revealed large, significant increases in autonomous regulation (quality of motivation).
Telephonic MI using non-healthcare professional coaches is feasibly delivered with high fidelity, and is acceptable to older adult participants. The innovative delivery format offers novel opportunities supporting virtual and telehealth interventions to reduce chronic disease risk among older adults.
This study aimed to assess patients' interest in education content delivered through electronic modalities and identify trends in internet access and use among emergency department patients of various socioeconomic statuses.
A prospective, cross-sectional survey with 50 questions was completed by 241 English and Spanish-speaking patients in 2014 and repeated with 253 participants in 2019 at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center's Emergency Department (UCIMCED).
Internet access increased from 83.8 % in 2014 to 88.1 % in 2019. Most internet-using patients owned smartphones (80.1 % in 2014, 89.7 % in 2019). Patients used electronic devices, such as fit bits and activity trackers, to obtain health information. Email was the preferred method for receiving discharge instructions.
As of 2019, 88.1 % of UCIMCED patients have access to the internet or email, making electronic media a reasonable venue for patient education. Given that we have a predominantly low-income patient population—61 % and 32 % of respondents in 2014 and 2019, respectively, reporting an income of less than $25,000—these results are provide new avenues to reach patients of all socioeconomic statuses.
The implications of this study can be used to develop electronic resources tailored to educate emergency department patients about their healthcare beyond the confines of a hospital.
This study presents the development process of a heart failure (HF) medication decision aid (DA) specific to Singapore context, with the objective of promoting cost conversations.
Phase 1 was to create a DA prototype, where two HF clinicians were consulted on their input and needs. Phase 2 was pilot testing where the prototype was tested on HF patients and revised based on their feedback.
The DA is a one-page poster that compares only two classes of HF medications. It encompasses seven attributes for comparison, including route of administration, treatment duration, frequency of use, hospitalization rate, survival rate, low blood pressure probability with personalized subsidized cost being the key attribute. A total of 48 patients participated in the pilot testing with only 2 patients (4.2 %) finding the DA difficult to understand. Almost all patients agreed that the DA provided greater clarity in the medication options.
By integrating the needs of both clinicians and patients and conducting user testing, we developed a novel HF medication DA. Patients found the tool easy to understand and acceptable.
This innovative DA aims to improve cost conversations by providing tailored, concise, and locally relevant information for efficient use.