The healthcare landscape is constantly evolving. eHealth (electronic health) presents opportunities to alleviate pressure in healthcare, for example by empowering patients to take more control over... Show moreThe healthcare landscape is constantly evolving. eHealth (electronic health) presents opportunities to alleviate pressure in healthcare, for example by empowering patients to take more control over their care. This thesis has examined various digital applications that have already been (partially) implemented. The research primarily focuses on the user-friendliness and effectiveness of these digital applications, aiming to promote self-management and accessibility of healthcare. The digital applications in this thesis relate to requesting diagnostic tests, both with and without involvement of healthcare professionals. Diagnostic tests enable the detection of conditions, such as sexually transmitted diseases for instance. Additionally, research has been conducted on the effectiveness of a self-management program for asthma and COPD. The results generally indicate that patients and citizens, particularly the younger generation, are receptive to online applications aimed at supporting their self-management of health and illness. Nevertheless, certain factors influence their acceptance, such as reliability and user-friendliness. Therefore, it is essential to promote collaboration among all stakeholders to enhance usability and ensure that online applications effectively meet their intended purpose and objectives. Show less
Many Chinese people suffer from chronic diseases like hypertension and chronic lung disease (CLD), leading to a significant disease burden. Self-management intervention (SMI) can help improve... Show moreMany Chinese people suffer from chronic diseases like hypertension and chronic lung disease (CLD), leading to a significant disease burden. Self-management intervention (SMI) can help improve patients’ quality of life and reduce the disease burden. But most research on SMI has been done in high-income countries, while over 599 million Chinese people suffer from chronic diseases. Implementing effective SMI in high–income countries for Chinese people with chronic diseases is possible. However, such SMI might not work well in China because of differences in economics and culture. To meet this end, this thesis aimed to tailor a proven-effective SMI tackling CLD, developed and tested in the Netherlands, to the Chinese context. The tailoring steps included identifying the Chinese context, selecting the SMI and mode of delivery, identifying factors influencing the SMI implementation, and integrating SMI into the Chinese context. The results found that SMI – developed and tested in the Netherlands – could be tailored in China. The tailored SMI could help Chinese people with CLD improve their health outcomes and reduce the disease burden, consequently can optimize resource use locally. Other researchers could use the research experience in this thesis to tailor other SMIs targeting other chronic diseases in other cultures. Show less
