TY  - JOUR
AU  - Riis, Allan
AU  - Hjelmager, Ditte Meulengracht
AU  - Vinther, Line Dausel
AU  - Rathleff, Michael Skovdal
AU  - Hartvigsen, Jan
AU  - Jensen, Martin Bach
PY  - 2018
DA  - 2018/04/02
TI  - Preferences for Web-Based Information Material for Low Back Pain: Qualitative Interview Study on People Consulting a General Practitioner
JO  - JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol
SP  - e7
VL  - 5
IS  - 1
KW  - patient education as topic
KW  - medical informatics app
KW  - patient participation
KW  - general practice
KW  - low back pain
AB  - Background: Information on self-management, including addressing people’s fears and concerns, are core aspects of managing patients with low back pain (LBP). Web apps with patient information may be used to extend patient-physician consultations and encourage self-management outside of the consultation room. It is, however, important to identify the end users’ needs and preferences in order to maximize acceptance. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify preferences for the content, design, and functionality of a Web app with evidence-based information and advice for people with LBP in Denmark. Methods: This is a phenomenological qualitative study. Adults who had consulted their general practitioner because of LBP within the past 14 days were included. Each participated in a semistructured interview, which was audiotaped and transcribed for text condensation. Interviews were conducted at the participant’s home by 2 interviewers. Participants also completed a questionnaire that requested information on age, gender, internet usage, interest in searching new knowledge, LBP-related function, and pain. Results: Fifteen 45-min interviews were conducted. Participants had a median age of 40 years (range 22-68 years) and reported a median disability of 7 points (range 0-18) using the 23-item Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire. Participants reported that Web-based information should be easy to find and read, easily overviewed, and not be overloaded with information. Subjects found existing Web-based information confusing, often difficult to comprehend, and not relevant for them, and they questioned the motives driving most hosting companies or organizations. The Patient Handbook, a Danish government-funded website that provides information to Danes about health, was mentioned as a trustworthy and preferred site when searching for information and advice regarding LBP. Conclusions: This study identified important issues to consider when developing and supplementing existing general practice treatment with Web-based information and advice for patients with LBP. Development of a Web app should consider patient input, and developers should carefully address the following domains: readability, customization, design, credibility, and usability. 
SN  - 2369-2529
UR  - http://rehab.jmir.org/2018/1/e7/
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/rehab.8841
UR  - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29610108
DO  - 10.2196/rehab.8841
ID  - info:doi/10.2196/rehab.8841
ER  -