Cardiovascular disease prevention for underserved patients using the internet: Bridging the digital divide
Cardiovascular disease prevention for underserved patients using the internet: Bridging the digital divide
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DOI：
10.1089/tmj.2006.12.58
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发表时间：
2006-02-01
期刊：
影响因子：
--
通讯作者：
Bove, AA
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Masucci, MM;Homko, C;Bove, AA
对于得不到充分服务的人群，远程医疗可以解决心血管疾病风险因素的高发病率和次优控制问题。然而，互联网接入问题可能会限制远程医疗的成功应用。我们检验了一个假设，即计算机技能，而不是访问本身，是使用互联网进行医疗保健的主要障碍。在知情同意后，44名很少或没有计算机经验的参与者接受了2小时的培训，涵盖14项基本计算机使用技能，互联网接入和我们的远程医疗系统。远程医疗系统能够报告血压、体重、身体活动、香烟使用、提供者反馈、个人药物信息以及关于CVD风险因素的教育信息。患者人群包括12名男性和32名女性。其中有23名非裔美国人。患者平均年龄为60.4 +/- 3岁，64%的家庭年收入低于25，000美元。82%的参与者在基本计算机技能方面平均得分为4或更高（1至5分）。只有11%的人的平均分低于3分。44名参与者中有37人在10天内通过当地互联网访问网站报告了他们的健康状况。参与者成功使用远程医疗系统与年龄，性别，教育水平或计算机所有权无关。计算机技能得分对系统使用有积极影响。没有计算机经验或技能的服务不足的人群以及心血管疾病风险增加的人群可以接受教育，使用互联网远程医疗系统向其医疗保健提供者传达健康状况。拥有计算机并不是预测系统使用的一个因素。
For underserved populations, telemedicine can address the high prevalence and suboptimal control of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. However, Internet access issues may limit the successful application of telemedicine. We tested the hypothesis that computer skills, and not access per se, was the main obstacle to using the Internet for health care. After informed consent, 44 participants with little or no computer experience received 2 hours of training covering 14 basic computer use skills, Internet access, and our telemedicine system. The telemedicine system enables reporting blood pressure, weight, physical activity, cigarette use, provider feedback, personal medication information, and educational information about CVD risk factors. The patient population included 12 males and 32 females. Of this total were 23 African Americans. The average patient age was 60.4 +/- 3 years, and 64% had annual family incomes under $25,000. Eighty-two percent of the participants averaged 4 or higher (on a scale of 1 to 5) on basic computer skills. Only 11% had an average score below 3. Thirty-seven of 44 participants reported on their health status from a local Internet access site within 10 days. Participants' successful use of the telemedicine system was not correlated with age, gender, education level, or ownership of a computer. Computer skill score had a positive effect on system use. Underserved populations without computer experience or skills and at increased risk for CVD can be educated to use an Internet telemedicine system to communicate health status to their health care providers. Ownership of a computer was not a factor that predicted system use.