A technological life buoy: patient perceptions of the Health Buddy.
BACKGROUND
Technology in healthcare takes many forms and is growing rapidly. Few studies have considered the acceptability, benefits, and barriers perceived by clients involved in the use of technology. The purpose of this study was to discover perceptions about ease of use, efficacy, and difficulties encountered by patients who used an in-home telehealth communication device, the Health Buddy.


METHODS
Thirteen participants were selected from a parent study in which they used the Health Buddy. Focus groups and individual interviews were the data collection methods. Content analysis was used to answer the research questions.


RESULTS
Participants found that the Health Buddy is technologically easy to use; that it promoted, taught, and supported heart failure self-management; and that it was even a "lifesaver," but that it could be bothersome, complex, and too lengthy an intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
Telehealth, a cost-effective way to promote improved health management, is suitable to most patients. Minor adjustments in management will be needed to accommodate individual preferences to increase satisfaction.
LaFramboise
Louise M
LM
Adult Health and Illness Department, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5330, USA. llaframb@unmc.edu
Woster
Jenna
J
Yager
Amy
A
Yates
Bernice C
BC
D000368:Aged; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D001294:Attitude to Health; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D006792:House Calls; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000458:organization & administration; D008297:Male; D009329:Nebraska; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017010:Reminder Systems; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013689:Telephone; D014584:User-Computer Interface