Research on Inclusive eHealth Interventions
eHealth programs, designed to assist individuals with health goals like smoking cessation, healthy eating, or increased exercise, are widespread. However, these programs are often not accessible to people with lower incomes and educational backgrounds.
Isra Al-Dhahir's PhD research focused on improving the inclusivity and accessibility of eHealth. Al-Dhahir, now a researcher in Technology for Healthcare at The Hague University of Applied Sciences, noted that many digital healthcare applications are primarily user-friendly for digitally skilled individuals.
Addressing Health Disparities in eHealth
Al-Dhahir stated that many eHealth interventions are developed based on assumptions about user capabilities and living circumstances. These applications often require digital literacy, strong reading and writing skills, and specific health literacy skills. Consequently, individuals with a lower socioeconomic position (SEP) are less likely to be reached by these interventions.
This discrepancy can exacerbate existing health inequalities.
Al-Dhahir's dissertation, "Striving for Equity in eHealth," investigated the requirements for professionals to make digital healthcare more accessible.
Unpacking Barriers and Facilitators
The research explored the challenges and enablers experienced by professionals during the development, implementation, and evaluation of eHealth solutions for people with a lower SEP. Key findings indicate that involving the target group from the outset is crucial. Understanding their daily lives is essential to determine if eHealth is a suitable solution, especially when considering factors such as financial instability.
Understanding their daily lives is essential to determine if eHealth is a suitable solution, especially when considering factors such as financial instability.
Structural conditions, including adequate time and funding, are also vital for the sustained implementation of effective eHealth solutions. Many projects face cessation after initial funding periods, highlighting a significant barrier to long-term impact.
Understanding Diverse Target Group Needs
Al-Dhahir emphasized that people with lower incomes and education levels represent a diverse population, not a single target group. Interviews identified various subgroups with differing attitudes toward eHealth:
- Enthusiastic: Individuals eager to use eHealth for health improvement.
- Cautious: Those who want to improve their health but find eHealth complex or fear making mistakes.
- Overwhelmed: People whose lives are burdened by stress, making them less receptive to eHealth.
This diversity highlights the need for tailored approaches rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.
A Practical Guide for Inclusive eHealth
Based on her research, Al-Dhahir and her team developed an online guide for inclusive eHealth. This tool supports professionals in making informed decisions during the design, implementation, and evaluation of digital health interventions. The guide prompts professionals to consider assumptions about the target group, assess conditions like guidance and funding, and evaluate the appropriateness of eHealth in specific contexts.
Al-Dhahir plans to further develop the guide to provide more practical and concrete advice. She is also exploring its integration into educational programs at The Hague University of Applied Sciences, preparing future healthcare professionals for more inclusive practices.