The Digital Heart Manual: A pilot study of an innovative cardiac rehabilitation programme developed for and with users.
OBJECTIVE
Patients are seeking greater choice and flexibility in how they engage with self-management programmes. While digital innovations offer opportunities to deliver supportive interventions to patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation little is known about how accessible, useful and acceptable they are for this group. This project developed a digital version of a leading evidenced cardiac rehabilitation programme, the Heart Manual (HM). The prototype was developed and evaluated iteratively in collaboration with end users.


METHODS
Using a mixed methods design 28 participants provided feedback using semi-structured questionnaires and telephone interviews.


RESULTS
Rich data revealed the perceived user-friendliness of the HM digital format and its effectiveness at communicating the programme's key messages. It flagged areas requiring development, such as more flexible and intuitive navigation pathways. These suggestions informed the refinement of the resource.


CONCLUSIONS
This evaluation offers support for the new Digital Heart Manual and confirms the value of employing a user-centred approach when developing and improving online interventions. The system is now in use and recommendations from the evaluation are being translated into quality improvements.


CONCLUSIONS
The Digital Heart Manual is user friendly and accessible to patients and health professionals, regardless of age, presenting a suitable alternative to the paper version.
The Heart Manual Department, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK. Electronic address: Carolyn.Deighan@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk.
C
C
Deighan
The Heart Manual Department, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK.
L
L
Michalova
University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
C
C
Pagliari
The Heart Manual Department, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK.
J
J
Elliott
The Heart Manual Department, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK.
L
L
Taylor
The Heart Manual Department, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK.
H
H
Ranaldi
D000072038:Cardiac Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D010358:Patient Participation; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom
Cardiac rehabilitation; Digital intervention; Heart Manual; Usability; Web-based intervention