Designing an eHealth tool for effective monitoring and management of Viral Hepatitis B

Abstract

Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major cause of liver disease and accounts for an estimated 1.4 million deaths annually worldwide. Chronic HBV infection can lead to serious sequelae such as cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver-related mortality. Despite the availability of effective vaccines for three decades, the global prevalence of HBV has not significantly declined. To address this issue, new models of healthcare delivery and interventions focusing on HBV screening, treatment, and monitoring are required. Electronic health (eHealth) technologies have been identified as a potential solution. However, information on eHealth tools for managing and monitoring HBV is limited. This study aims to investigate the demand for an eHealth tool capable of intervening in the management of Hepatitis B, as well as designing a suitable electronic tool that will enhance early screening and monitoring of Hepatitis B infection. Methodology A descriptive cross-sectional study with convenience sampling was selected as the research design. The study focused on three different organizations (hospitals) in the healthcare industry. A literature review was carried out to determine the current state of eHealth interventions for HBV. Additionally, a survey involving 34 healthcare providers was conducted to gain insight into their present utilization of eHealth tools and identify areas for enhancement. Drawing upon the findings from both the literature review and the survey, an electronic tool was subsequently designed. Results This study offers valuable insights into the urgent requirement for eHealth interventions in the management of HBV and underscores the considerable potential of electronic tools in enhancing HBV screening, treatment, and monitoring. The literature review revealed a limited number of eHealth interventions for HBV, primarily centered around patient education and support. Subsequently, a survey was administered to healthcare providers, uncovering that only a minority of them were utilizing eHealth tools (EMR) for HBV management, albeit not exclusively tailored for HBV. The main quantitative findings underscored the low adoption of eHealth tools among healthcare providers, with only 20% currently integrating such tools into their practices. Moreover, statistical analyses conducted on the survey data brought to light significant barriers to the implementation of eHealth interventions, encompassing concerns about data security (42%), lack of training (31%), and resistance to change (17%) Conclusion This study underscores the necessity for eHealth interventions in HBV management and showcases the capability of electronic tools in enhancing HBV screening, treatment, and monitoring. The findings of the study indicate that by surmounting the identified barriers, healthcare providers can proficiently harness eHealth solutions to enhance patient outcomes and refine HBV management approaches. Nonetheless, it's crucial to acknowledge that additional research is required to validate the effectiveness of the electronic tool proposed in this study and to evaluate its applicability and impact across diverse healthcare settings