title: Patient preferences for a hospital-based rheumatology Interactive Health Communication Application and factors associated with these preferences.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine current disease-related Internet use and intentions to use various online support services on a hospital-based Interactive Health Communication Application (IHCA) of patients with rheumatic diseases. Furthermore, to examine which variables are associated with the intentions to use different services.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaires were sent to a random sample of 484 patients of a large hospital's rheumatology clinic: response was 47% (n = 227). Questions included socio-demographics, health characteristics, health literacy, patients' current disease-related Internet use and their intentions to use eight different support services: (i) information about disease and treatment; (ii) information about care and support; (iii) peer communication; (iv) e-consultation; (v) autonomous symptom monitoring; (vi) symptom monitoring with telemonitoring; (vii) self-management support; and (viii) access to their electronic medical records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although most patients with Internet access had used it in relation to their disease (82%), Internet use was mainly limited to searching information. Many patients (45-68%), however, intended to use seven out of eight possible online services if offered on a hospital-based rheumatology IHCA. An exception was peer communication; only 11% intended to use this service. Of all the services, access to the electronic medical record was mostly preferred, followed by information provision. Demographics, health characteristics and health literacy did not show clear significant relationships with the reported intentions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results show that patients with rheumatic diseases are interested in online support from the hospital and that they intend to use an IHCA, if it is available. Clear associating variables with reported intentions to use the different services were not found.
authors.affiliation: IBR Research Institute for Social Sciences and Technology, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, Citadel H423, PO Box 217, 7500 AE, Enschede, The Netherlands. r.vandervaart@utwente.nl
authors.forename: Rosalie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van der Vaart
authors.forename: Constance H C
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Drossaert
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Taal
authors.forename: Mart A F J
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: van de Laar
mesh_terms: D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D005260:Female; D058015:Health Communication / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D057240:Patient Preference; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires