Views and attitudes of families regarding the development of an eHealth family-based cardiovascular disease risk reduction programme

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Controllable CVD risk factors such as poor dietary habits, lack of physical activity or smoking are often learned and experienced in the home environment. Families living in the home environment are rarely targeted together, despite their shared risk of developing CVD. eHealth interventions are rapidly excelling in popularity, reach and effectiveness, improving healthcare education and self-management. Co-production of an eHealth intervention with target-users has much potential to increase relevance and adherence of the intervention.
Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the views and attitudes of families, at risk of developing CVD, towards the design and functionality of an eHealth, family-based, CVD risk reduction programme which is currently under development.
Methods: Three online focus groups, involving six families, were convened. Participating families comprised at least one parent, who met CVD risk factor criteria, and at least one child aged five to 17 years. Focus group topic guides were used to aid discussion. Data was analysed using conventional content analysis. The analysis allowed for synthesis of findings to identify key themes and subcategories regarding development of and engagement with the proposed programme.
Results: Common themes that emerged included a) experiences of previously used health-related apps or devices, b) expectations of a newly developed eHealth family-based CVD risk reduction programme, and c) motivation to engage with such a programme. Most participants used health-related apps and devices individually, but sporadically. Participants want the ability to see the whole family’s health information, as well as the programme being free, personalised, easy-to-use, non-time-consuming, with multiple content formats, and additional information available on demand. Goal setting, rewards, accountability, and the ability to track health information were deemed essential. Adaptability, recording both individual and family achievements and competition were considered to be important/key motivators.
Conclusion: Overall, responses from participants were positive and in favour of an eHealth, family-based CVD risk reduction programme. These findings will inform a prototype of an eHealth CVD risk reducing programme for families at risk.