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The Role of Social Networks When Using Digital Health Interventions for Multimorbidity

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Digital Human Modeling and Applications in Health, Safety, Ergonomics and Risk Management (HCII 2023)

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Abstract

The use of a digital health intervention can be a valuable addition to the self-management journey of a person living with multiple chronic conditions (multimorbidity). However, digital technology is but one aspect of self-management. Different social actors, including formal and informal carers also contribute to various self-management efforts. This study investigated the role of social networks in the use of the digital health intervention ProACT, which was designed to support the self-management abilities of older people with multimorbidity (PwMs). Self-reports of social connection, using the Lubben Social Network Scale, and semi-structured interviews after up to one year of ProACT use were analyzed. Family, friends, healthcare professionals, and triage nurses were all found to be relevant actors in the social networks of PwMs. Several psychosocial mechanisms were identified through which different social relationships influenced PwMs’ adoption and use of ProACT, including social support, social influence, social engagement, and person-to-person contact. Future digital health interventions should consider these mechanisms for effective implementation of such technology among PwMs.

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Acknowledgements

The ProACT project received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement no. 689996. The SEURO project received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement no. 945449. We would like to thank all participants of this research for their valuable time.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. imec-SMIT, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium

    Sara Polak, Cora van Leeuwen, Myriam Sillevis Smitt & An Jacobs

  2. NetwellCASALA, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Co. Louth, Ireland

    Julie Doyle & Suzanne Cullen-Smith

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  1. Sara Polak
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  2. Cora van Leeuwen
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Correspondence to Sara Polak .

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  1. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA

    Vincent G. Duffy

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Polak, S., van Leeuwen, C., Sillevis Smitt, M., Doyle, J., Cullen-Smith, S., Jacobs, A. (2023). The Role of Social Networks When Using Digital Health Interventions for Multimorbidity. In: Duffy, V.G. (eds) Digital Human Modeling and Applications in Health, Safety, Ergonomics and Risk Management. HCII 2023. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 14029. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-35748-0_9

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