Perceived needs for the information communication technology (ICT)‐based personalized health management program, and its association with information provision, health‐related quality of life (HRQOL), and decisional conflict in cancer patients
Published online on February 10, 2017
Abstract
Objective
The use of information communication technology (ICT)–based tailored health management program can have significant health impacts for cancer patients. Information provision, health‐related quality of life (HRQOL), and decision conflicts were analyzed for their relationship with need for an ICT‐based personalized health management program in Korean cancer survivors.
Methods
The health program needs of 625 cancer survivors from two Korean hospitals were analyzed in this cross‐sectional study. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors related to the need for an ICT‐based tailored health management system. Association of the highest such need with medical information experience, HRQOL, and decision conflicts was determined. Furthermore, patient intentions and expectations for a web‐ or smartphone‐based tailored health management program were investigated.
Results
Cancer survivors indicated high personalized health management program needs. Patients reporting the highest need included those with higher income (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.70; 95% [confidence interval] CI, 1.10‐2.63), those who had received enough information regarding helping themselves (aOR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.09‐2.66), and those who wished to receive more information (aOR, 1.59; 95% CI, 0.97‐2.61). Participants with cognitive functioning problems (aOR, 2.87; 95%CI, 1.34‐6.17) or appetite loss (aOR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.07‐2.93) indicated need for a tailored health care program. Patients who perceived greater support from the decision‐making process also showed the highest need for an ICT‐based program (aOR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.30‐0.82).
Conclusions
We found that higher income, information provision experience, problematic HRQOL, and decisional conflicts are significantly associated with the need for an ICT‐based tailored self‐management program.