Experiences of participating in an eHealth intervention for patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm: A qualitative study

Aims

To explore patients’ experiences of an eHealth tool and tailored psychosocial support throughout the care trajectory of AAA repair.

Design

A qualitative interview study.

Methods

Individual in-depth interviews were performed with twelve patients participating in an intervention study in conjunction with AAA surgery. Data were collected from March to December 2019. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach.

Results

The patients’ familiarity with and attitude to eHealth influenced their use of the eHealth tool. The interpersonal relationship with health care staff affected patients’ ability to submit themselves. The preoperative information, including the eHealth tool, may result in an overwhelming amount of information, causing anxiety and leading patients to refrain from information, partly due to the timing of the information. Psychosocial support offered continuity and reassurance, and enabled the patients to elaborate on existential matters.

Conclusion

The design of eHealth services in AAA care would benefit from a consideration of patients’ attitude to eHealth and familiarity with modern technology. To increase patients’ accessibility to health care services, their preference for technology use and type of contact should be verified and respected. Psychosocial support should be offered with continuity to alleviate patients’ emotional burden. Adjustment to patients’ mental state and learning needs may forestall anxiety.

Impact

This study highlights factors that affect the acceptability of eHealth services in AAA patients. These findings can guide future design and implementation of mobile health interventions in surgical care.