Patient education in adolescents with congenital heart disease – does a computer-based program developed for adults work?

• Abstract Today about 90% of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) survive to adulthood and many need life-long medical follow-up. Structured transition programmes have the potential to improve continuation of cardiac follow-up and aim to enhance adolescents' and their families' knowledge of the medical condition; to augment adherence to medical regimens; to improve overall quality of life (QoL) and psychosocial status. Parents are initially responsible for their child´s health but should gradually hand over responsibility to the youth. Knowledge of the disease is an important and crucial part in taking responsibility for their health. The aim of this study was to describe how adolescents with CHD experience a computer-based patient education developed for an adult population with CHD. Methods: Individual structured interviews of adolescents with CHD. The text transcribed verbatim was analysed with qualitative content analysis. Results: The text analysis resulted in an overall theme “Increased overall awareness and knowledge in need of some adjustments” with three subcategories: “The program was easy to use but requires some adjustment”, “Gave a greater knowledge and understanding about heart failure, treatment and lifestyle advice” and “an increased sense of connectedness“ Conclusion: The computer program needs to be age adapted but was considered by most of the interviewed young patients as a good method to learn more about ones own heart condition. Some of the modules need to be reformulated to be simpler and more suitable for young people, but most felt that the program was easy to use.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

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