A cross-sectional study on the use of information technology among people with COPD, in Sweden

The use of information technology IT, in pulmonary rehabilitation can bring flexibility to people with COPD and have the potential to reach a larger proportion of the population than usual rehabilitation. However, the success is dependent on the end-user’s IT competence and access to internet. Aim: To describe the access to, use, knowledge, and preferences of IT and equipment among people with COPD. Methods: Telephone interviews using a standardized questionnaire on IT and technical devices, were conducted. Additional questions considering participants´ views on a future eHealth tool; content, probable potential to use for exercise training were posed. Results: With a response rate of 88%, 120 participants (86 women) aged 51 to 92, GOLD grade A-D were included. Over 90% of the participants had access to internet. Smartphones were used by 81%, >90% used apps. Participants had high knowledge of using internet, over the last 3 months 91% had used internet; 85% almost every day. Internet was mostly used for e-mailing, information searching, banking, social networking, phone-/video calls, and booking appointments with health care givers. Most common requests for a future eHealth tool for COPD were evidence-based and trustworthy information on COPD, communication with others and with health care givers. To have access to individually adjusted exercise training, and support, motivation via prompts, chat rooms, and digital information board was also desired. Conclusion: People with COPD have high access and ability to use internet and IT, they are frequent users even to a higher extent than the general Swedish population. This indicates that the use of eHealth tools could be a suitable strategy.