Summary
Objectives
To describe lung transplant recipients (LTRs’) acceptance and use of mobile technology
for health self-monitoring during the first year post-transplantation, and explore
correlates of the use of technology in the 0 to 2, >2 to ≤6, >6 to ≤12, and 0 to 12
months.
Methods
Secondary analysis of data from 96 LTR assigned to use Pocket PATH®, a smartphone
application, for daily health self-monitoring in a randomized controlled trial. Use
of Pocket PATH was categorized as low, moderate, and high use. Proportional odds models
for ordinal logistic regression were employed to explore correlates of use of technology.
Results
LTR reported high acceptance of Pocket PATH at baseline. However, acceptance was not
associated with actual use over the 12 months (p=0.45∼0.96). Actual use decreased
across time intervals (p<0.001). Increased self-care agency was associated with the
increased odds of higher use in women (p=0.03) and those less satisfied with technology
training (p=0.02) in the first 2 months. Higher use from >2 to ≤6 months was associated
with greater satisfaction with technology training (OR=3.37, p=0.01) and shorter length
of hospital stay (OR=0.98, p=0.02). Higher use from >6 to ≤12 months was associated
with older age (OR=1.05, p=0.02), lower psychological distress (OR=0.43, p=0.02),
and better physical functioning (OR=1.09, p=0.01). Higher use over 12 months was also
associated with older age (OR=1.05, p=0.007), better physical functioning (OR=1.13,
p=0.001), and greater satisfaction with technology training (OR=3.05, p=0.02).
Conclusions
Correlates were different for short- and long-term use of mobile technology for health
self-monitoring in the first year post-transplantation. It is important to follow
up with LTR with longer hospital stay, poor physical functioning, and psychological
distress, providing ongoing education to improve their long-term use of technology
for health self-monitoring.
Citation: Jiang Y, Sereika SM, DeVito Dabbs A, Handler SM, Schlenk EA. Acceptance and use of
mobile technology for health self-monitoring in lung transplant recipients during
the first year post-transplantation.
Keywords
Mobile applications - telemedicine - self-care - lung transplantation - patient compliance
