Evaluation of a Web-based Intervention for Self-management of Minor Respiratory Symptoms
Author Information
Author(s): Eysenbach Gunther, Joseph Judith, Michie Susan, Weal Mark, Wills Gary, Little Paul
Primary Institution: University of Southampton
Hypothesis
Does the tailored advice provided by the Internet Doctor website improve patient enablement and reduce health service use compared to static information?
Conclusion
Tailored web-based advice can help patients self-manage minor symptoms more effectively than standard information.
Supporting Evidence
- The Internet Doctor resulted in higher levels of satisfaction than the control information.
- Understanding of illness improved in the 48 hours following use of the Internet Doctor webpages.
- Decline in intentions to consult the doctor was predicted by age and beliefs about consultation necessity.
Takeaway
The Internet Doctor website gives personalized advice to help people manage minor illnesses without needing to see a doctor.
Methodology
Participants were randomly assigned to either the Internet Doctor or control group and completed measures of beliefs and health service use at baseline and follow-ups.
Potential Biases
Participants were online volunteers with unknown characteristics, which may limit generalizability.
Limitations
The sample size was too small to reliably detect group differences in consultation rates, and the study was not powered as a definitive test of intervention effects.
Participant Demographics
Majority were women (72.3%) and most (62.1%) were under 25 years old, with 91.2% having completed or were completing a university degree.
Statistical Information
P-Value
P = .002 for satisfaction, P = .03 for enablement, P = .05 for understanding of illness.
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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