Self-regulation in eHealth: definition, contributing factors, and experiences from blended rehabilitation care.

Abstract

eHealth might contribute to changes in roles and responsibilities of patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs), including the patient's potential to enhance self-regulation. The aim of this study was to identify important aspects and experiences of self-regulation and factors that may support self-regulation in blended rehabilitation care. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among HCPs and patients regarding perceptions and experiences with self-regulation in relation to a telerehabilitation portal. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes. According to HCPs (<i>n</i> = 18), aspects of self-regulation are: an active role of patients, a facilitating role for HCPs, and collaboration. Patients and parents (<i>n</i> = 24) experienced self-regulation by: having an active role and having a voice. Aspects of eHealth that support self-regulation are: at home usage, flexible scheduling, easily accessible communication, using it as a reference work, using it to stimulate motivation, and adapting usage to different phases of treatment. Patients and HCPs agree that patients having an active role is important for experiencing self-regulation. A telerehabilitation portal that can be flexibly used at home, with a communication and log module, can support self-regulation. Optimising eHealth design to stimulate self-regulation, and measuring the impact of eHealth on self-regulation should be further studied.