title: A randomized controlled study about the use of eHealth in the home health care of premature infants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  One area where the use of information and communication technology (ICT), or eHealth, could be developed is the home health care of premature infants. The aim of this randomized controlled study was to investigate whether the use of video conferencing or a web application improves parents' satisfaction in taking care of a premature infant at home and decreases the need of home visits. In addition, nurses' attitudes regarding the use of these tools were examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four families were randomized to one of three groups before their premature infant was discharged from the hospital to home health care: a control group receiving standard home health care (13 families); a web group receiving home health care supplemented with the use of a web application (12 families); a video group with home health care supplemented with video conferencing using Skype (9 families). Families and nursing staff answered questionnaires about the usefulness of ICT. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 families.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the parents in the web group found the web application easy to use. 83% of the families thought it was good to have access to their child's data through the application. All the families in the video group found Skype easy to use and were satisfied with the video calls. 88% of the families thought that video calls were better than ordinary phone calls. 33% of the families in the web group and 75% of those in the video group thought the need for home visits was decreased by the web application or Skype. 50% of the families in the web group and 100% of those in the video group thought the web application or the video calls had helped them feel more confident in caring for their child. Most of the nurses were motivated to use ICT but some were reluctant and avoided using the web application and video conferencing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The families were satisfied with both the web application and video conferencing. The families readily embraced the use of ICT, whereas motivating some of the nurses to accept and use ICT was a major challenge.
authors: Department of Signals and Systems, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg 412 96, Sweden.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Gund
authors: Bengt Arne
authors: BA
authors: Sjöqvist
authors: Helena
authors: H
authors: Wigert
authors: Elisabet
authors: E
authors: Hentz
authors: Kaj
authors: K
authors: Lindecrantz
authors: Kristina
authors: K
authors: Bry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D018575:Home Care Services, Hospital-Based; D006801:Humans; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D020407:Internet; D010290:Parents; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019114:Remote Consultation; D017216:Telemedicine; D055815:Young Adult
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