Do cardiac patients like and use an e-Learning platform as part of their secondary prevention program?

Abstract

Background Novel care delivery strategies for secondary prevention of cardiac patients such as cardiac teletrehabilitation are becoming more and more common place. In its ideal format, cardiac telerehabilitation encompasses a comprehensive approach including not only telemonitoring, but also telecoaching and E-Learning. E-Learning means that the tele-intervention teaches patients using medically and scientifically sound interactive didactic material, with the aim of enabling the patients to gain a better understanding of the etiology, pathophysiology and clinical presentation of their condition and ways of preventing recurrences and deteriorations. We designed and developed a web-based E-Learning platform, including educational video material (with both patients, cardiologists and paramedics) and interactive quizzes. The feasibility and usage of this platform will be assessed prospectively. Methods We will conduct a multi-center randomized controlled trial (n = 1000) starting in November 2015 in Belgium. Patients will be randomized to the control group (receiving only standard educational brochures) or to the intervention group (receiving brochures and access to the E-Learning platform). The primary objective is to assess feasibility and acceptance of the platform by completion of the validated User Experience Questionnaire at the end of study period. The secondary objective is to assess usage of the platform by registration of 1) % of patients accessing the platform 2) number of videos viewed/patient 3) cumulative time of platform usage. Results The E-Learning platform will be presented and explained at the conference. The results on both the feasibility and usage of the platform from the preliminary analysis of the clinical trial will also be presented. Conclusion Cardiac telerehabilitation programs preferably have a comprehensive approach, including also E-Learning. The clinical trial of which the preliminary results will be presented at the conference, is one of the first large randomized controlled trials assessing the possible value of an E-Learning platform.