What we do
About our project
Background
Healthy behaviors, such as engaging in physical activity and following a healthy diet, are important in the prevention of chronic diseases, but literature shows that such behaviors are less prevalent in groups with a low socioeconomic position. Due to the increasing financial pressure on healthcare systems, eHealth interventions have been widely discussed as a possible solution to improve health behaviors. However, eHealth is considered a cause of health disparities, as it requires digital skills and a specific pro-active attitude towards health and healthcare that is not shared among all socioeconomic classes.
Objective
To turn eHealth into a solution for people in low socioeconomic environments, it is necessary to design it in such a way that it fits their needs, preferences and capabilities. Therefore, the aim of the project is to develop and test a guideline that consists of design principles that enhance alignment of eHealth to people with a low socioeconomic position.
Healthy behaviors, such as engaging in physical activity and following a healthy diet, are important in the prevention of chronic diseases, but literature shows that such behaviors are less prevalent in groups with a low socioeconomic position. Due to the increasing financial pressure on healthcare systems, eHealth interventions have been widely discussed as a possible solution to improve health behaviors. However, eHealth is considered a cause of health disparities, as it requires digital skills and a specific pro-active attitude towards health and healthcare that is not shared among all socioeconomic classes.
Objective
To turn eHealth into a solution for people in low socioeconomic environments, it is necessary to design it in such a way that it fits their needs, preferences and capabilities. Therefore, the aim of the project is to develop and test a guideline that consists of design principles that enhance alignment of eHealth to people with a low socioeconomic position.
Our research focus
Procedures
The development of the guideline is addressed from both a top-down and bottom-up perspective. From a top-down perspective we investigate existing eHealth lifestyle interventions focused on people with a low socioeconomic position to identify barriers and facilitators. From a bottom-up perspective we gain insight on the target groups attitude towards health, healthcare and eHealth by taking a participatory research approach. Subsequently, these two approaches converge in the development of the eHealth guideline, that will be implemented and evaluated.
eHealth intervention for cardiac patients with a low socioeconomic position
In order to validate the guideline, we implement the guideline into a design process of a cardiac rehabilitation eHealth intervention at Capri Cardiac Rehabilitation (Rotterdam/The Hague). This cardiac rehabilitation intervention aims at improving activation levels in patients with a low socioeconomic position in the period before cardiac rehabilitation starts. A pilot randomized controlled trial is performed to assess the feasibility of the intervention and to explore effects on patient activation levels.
The development of the guideline is addressed from both a top-down and bottom-up perspective. From a top-down perspective we investigate existing eHealth lifestyle interventions focused on people with a low socioeconomic position to identify barriers and facilitators. From a bottom-up perspective we gain insight on the target groups attitude towards health, healthcare and eHealth by taking a participatory research approach. Subsequently, these two approaches converge in the development of the eHealth guideline, that will be implemented and evaluated.
eHealth intervention for cardiac patients with a low socioeconomic position
In order to validate the guideline, we implement the guideline into a design process of a cardiac rehabilitation eHealth intervention at Capri Cardiac Rehabilitation (Rotterdam/The Hague). This cardiac rehabilitation intervention aims at improving activation levels in patients with a low socioeconomic position in the period before cardiac rehabilitation starts. A pilot randomized controlled trial is performed to assess the feasibility of the intervention and to explore effects on patient activation levels.
Collaborations
The project is performed within the 'Medical Delta eHelath & selfmanagement for a healthy society' program:
- Erasmus Medical Center
- Technical University of Delft
- Leiden University
- Leiden University Medical Center
- Capri Cardiac Rehabilitation
Our team
PhDs
Jasper Faber, MSc (TU Delft)
Isra Al-Dhahir, MSc (Leiden University)
Supervision
Rita van den Berg-Emons, PhD (Erasmus MC)
Valentijn Visch, PhD (TU Delft)
Jos Kraal, PhD (TU Delft)
Prof. Andrea Evers, PhD (Leiden University)
Prof. Niels Chavannes, MD, PhD (LUMC)
Niek Baart, MSc (Capri Cardiac Rehabilitation)
Contact us
Rita van den Berg-Emons: h.j.g.vandenberg@erasmusmc.nl
