Evaluation of a pharmacy based personal health record by elderly respiratory patients

Background: Asthma and COPD are prevalent diseases which require ongoing self-management. eHealth can help but it is a challenge to match the needs of elderly patients. Aim: In this study we evaluated the opinion of respiratory patients (mean age 66[55-78], 18% male, 55% asthma, 27 % COPD, 18% other respiratory disease) about a pharmacy based personal health record(PHR). Method: Patients tested the PHR on the pc and thereafter we discussed their experiences in two focus groups (n=6 and n=5). These were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data was coded according to content analysis with the following topics: login, general impression of the PHR, medication information, disease information, disease monitoring, social support. Results: Navigating through the website was difficult and it was unclear where to login. Some had visual problems. It was sometimes complicated to find information (“I cannot see the wood for the trees”). They recommend to keep the website basic with a limited set of links at each page. Disease and medication information was considered to be relevant. Opinions about disease monitoring varied. Some were not interested (“If I have complaints I will let my GP refer me to the pulmonologist”), whereas others would like to monitor their complaints (“ because I hardly visit my GP”). Patients did not expect social support could be enhanced by this PHR. Conclusion: Especially information about treatment and disease was perceived to be relevant, though difficult to find and not complete. When a PHR is used by elderly, specific needs of elderly regarding navigation and visual problems need to be taken into design. The target population needs to be consulted when optimizing the PHR.