JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

MHealth interventions for self-management and self-management support are a promising way to meet the needs of patients with multimorbidity and primary care practices. Therefore, an mHealth intervention TelePraCMan in German primary care setting was developed and evaluated.

Objective:

We examined the effects of TelePraCMan on patient activation and quality of life and explored underlying contextual factors, impacts, and degree of implementation.

Methods:

In a prospective observational study design, we collected data using interviews and written questionnaires in participating patients (intervention and control group) and primary care workers (physicians and practice assistants). Primary outcomes of interest were patient reported quality of life (SF-12) and patient activation (PAM). Quantitative analysis focused on differences between patients of the intervention and control group. Interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis via MAXQDA.

Results:

No differences were observed in outcomes before and after the intervention or between intervention and control group. Interviewees perceived that the intervention was useful for some patients. However, contextual factors and problems with implementation activities negatively affected the use of the application with patients. Yet the respondents agreed that the application will be well accepted in 5 or 10 years, as now the patients who need the care still tend to feel a general rejection towards digitalisation.

Conclusions:

The digital intervention was hardly implemented and had limited impacts in the current setting of German primary care. Clinical Trial: German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS00017320)