264884 Use of online healthcare tools and self-efficacy to care for chronic conditions

Monday, October 29, 2012

Valerie Sue, PhD , Internet Services Group, Kaiser Permanente, Pleasanton, CA
Background: Self-efficacy is a measure of confidence in one's ability to affect change in one's own behavior. In numerous studies, self-efficacy has proven to be positively and significantly related to overall as well as condition-specific health status. The concept has been successfully used to influence behavior change in areas such as: alcohol consumption, medication adherence and rehabilitation following hospitalization. There is also considerable evidence that self-efficacy impacts how well individuals with chronic conditions manage their illnesses. Less clear are the sources of self-efficacy. Specifically, the role of online tools and information in influencing individuals' confidence in their ability to manage their health. This study evaluates the relationship between patients' use of a healthcare organization's website and their self-efficacy to care for their chronic conditions. Objective: To determine how use of a healthcare organization's website impacts patients' self-efficacy to care for their chronic conditions. Methods: Data are from a Fall 2011 email survey of patients who had previously been diagnosed with: asthma, coronary artery disease, depression or diabetes. A total of 3,294 questionnaires were collected (response rate was 13%). Results: Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted. An index comprising use of personal health record features and other online tools and information was the main independent variable. The dependent variable was an index of condition-specific self-efficacy questions. After controlling for demographic and health factors, use of online resources was a significant predictor of self-efficacy. Discussion: This research confirms that use of a healthcare organization's website has a positive and significant impact on patients' self-efficacy to care for their chronic conditions. The finding, combined with existing research that demonstrates the value of self-efficacy in improved health outcomes, has important implications for clinicians.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Communication and informatics
Other professions or practice related to public health
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1.Explain the relationship between use of a health care organization’s website and patients’ self-efficacy. 2.Identify the benefits of self-efficacy to patients’ problem solving and self-care abilities. 3.Discuss the value of online tools and information as they relate to improved health outcomes.

Keywords: Chronic Illness, Information Technology

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to be an abstract Author on the content I am responsible for because I am the primary investigator of the study.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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