Implementing Health Information Technology in a Patient‐Centered Manner: Patient Experiences With an Online Evidence‐Based Lifestyle Intervention

The patient‐centered care (PCC) model and the use of health information technology (HIT) are major initiatives for improving U.S. healthcare quality and delivery. A lack of published data on patient perceptions of Internet‐based care makes patient‐centered implementation of HIT challenging. To help ascertain patients’ perceptions of an online intervention, patients completing a 1‐year web‐based lifestyle intervention were asked to complete a semistructured interview. We used qualitative methodology to determine frequency and types of interview responses. Overall satisfaction with program features was coded on a Likert‐type scale. High levels of satisfaction were seen with the online lifestyle coaching (80%), self‐monitoring tools (57%), and structured lesson features (54%). Moderated chat sessions and online resources were rarely used. Frequently identified helpful aspects were those that allowed for customized care and shared decision‐making consistent with the tenets of PCC. Unhelpful program aspects were reported less often. Findings suggest that despite challenges for communicating effectively in an online forum, the personalized support, high‐tech data management capabilities, and easily followed evidence‐based curricula afforded by HIT may be a means of providing PCC and improving healthcare delivery and quality.