Journal of medical Internet research
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J. Med. Internet Res. · Feb 2012
A changing landscape of physician quality reporting: analysis of patients' online ratings of their physicians over a 5-year period.
Americans increasingly post and consult online physician rankings, yet we know little about this new phenomenon of public physician quality reporting. Physicians worry these rankings will become an outlet for disgruntled patients. ⋯ Online physician rating is rapidly growing in popularity and becoming commonplace with no evidence that they are dominated by disgruntled patients. There exist statistically significant correlations between the value of ratings and physician experience, board certification, education, and malpractice claims, suggesting a positive correlation between online ratings and physician quality. However, the magnitude is small. The average number of ratings per physician is still low, and most rating variation reflects evaluations of punctuality and staff. Understanding whether they truly reflect better care and how they are used will be critically important.
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J. Med. Internet Res. · Feb 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialEffects of a Web-based intervention for adults with chronic conditions on patient activation: online randomized controlled trial.
With almost one-half of Americans projected to have at least one chronic condition before 2020, a vital role of the health care system is to develop informed, engaged individuals who are effective self-managers of their health. Self-management interventions (SMIs) delivered face-to-face or by telephone (traditional SMIs) are associated with improved self-management knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy, which are expressed by the composite construct of patient activation, a predictor of health outcomes. Web-based interventions to support self-management across the spectrum of chronic diseases have the potential to reach a broader population of patients for extended periods than do traditional SMIs. However, evidence of the effectiveness of Web-based interventions on patient activation is sparse. High-quality studies featuring controlled comparisons of patients with different chronic conditions are needed to explore the interaction of Web-based interventions and patient activation. ⋯ To our knowledge, this is the first study to measure change in patient activation when a Web-based intervention is used by patients living with different chronic conditions. Results suggest that Web-based interventions increase patient activation and have the potential to enhance the self-management capabilities of the growing population of chronically ill people. Activated patients are more likely to adhere to recommended health care practices, which in turn leads to improved health outcomes. Designing Web-based interventions to target a specific stage of patient activation may optimize their effectiveness. For Web-based interventions to reach their potential as a key component of chronic disease management, evidence is needed that this technology produces benefits for a sustained period among a diverse population.
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J. Med. Internet Res. · Feb 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialMobile phone-based telemonitoring for heart failure management: a randomized controlled trial.
Previous trials of telemonitoring for heart failure management have reported inconsistent results, largely due to diverse intervention and study designs. Mobile phones are becoming ubiquitous and economical, but the feasibility and efficacy of a mobile phone-based telemonitoring system have not been determined. ⋯ Our findings provide evidence of improved quality of life through improved self-care and clinical management from a mobile phone-based telemonitoring system. The use of the mobile phone-based system had high adherence and was feasible for patients, including the elderly and those with no experience with mobile phones.
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J. Med. Internet Res. · Feb 2012
Review Comparative StudyComparing the use of an online expert health network against common information sources to answer health questions.
Many workers have questions about occupational safety and health (OSH). It is unknown whether workers are able to find correct, evidence-based answers to OSH questions when they use common information sources, such as websites, or whether they would benefit from using an easily accessible, free-of-charge online network of OSH experts providing advice. ⋯ Workers are often unable to find correct answers to OSH questions when using common information sources, generally informational websites. Because workers frequently misjudge the quality of the information they find, other strategies are required to assist workers in finding correct answers. Expert advice provided through an online expert network can be effective for this purpose. As many people experience difficulties in finding correct answers to their health questions, expert networks may be an attractive new source of information for health fields in general.