title: Innovation in the North: are health service providers ready for the uptake of an internet-based chronic disease management platform?
abstract: Remote and rural regions in Canada are faced with unique challenges in the delivery of primary health services. The purpose of this study was to understand how patients and healthcare professionals in northern British Columbia might make use of the Internet to manage cardiovascular diseases. The study used a qualitative methodology. Eighteen health professionals and 6 patients were recruited for a semi-structured interview that explored their experience in managing patients with cardiovascular disease and their opinions and preferences about the use of the Internet in chronic disease management. Key findings from the data suggest that a) use of the Internet helps to maintain continuity of care while a patient moves through various stages of care, b) the Internet may possibly be used as an educational tool in chronic disease self-management, c) there is a need for policy development to support Internet-based consultation processes, and d) while health providers endorse the notion of electronic advancement in their practice, the need for secure and stable electronic systems is essential.
authors.affiliation: University of Northern British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Sherri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tillotson
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lear
authors.forename: Yuriko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Araki
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Horvat
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Prkachin
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bates
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Balka
mesh_terms: D001955:British Columbia; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D017216:Telemedicine