Title: Tailoring patient information to encourage patient engagement

Authors: Reeva Lederman; Stephen Smith; Suelette Dreyfus; Basil Alzougool

Addresses: Computing and Information Systems, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia ' Department of Accounting, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia ' Computing and Information Systems, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia ' Princess Sumaya University for Technology, Khalil Al Saket St 112, 11941, Jordan

Abstract: This paper proposes a new method for tailoring health information based on an individual's dominant attitudes and information processing style which can be digitally operationalised and delivered direct to the patient. This individualised approach is based on principles previously used as the basis for mass-marketing campaigns, including smoking and other public health issues - but not previously used for structuring treatment recommendations in individual patient consultations. In previous work we have shown that patient understanding of their medical condition is influenced by whether a medical report is expressed in their preferred information processing style or expresses their dominant motivational attitude. In this work we build on these findings to examine the connection between a patient's perceived understanding of the content of a medical report and their willingness to actively engage with their doctor. Because engagement has been linked to patient compliance, this has important implications for patient adherence to treatment.

Keywords: personalisation; health information systems; HIS; cognitive styles; functional theory; healthcare management; patient information; patient engagement; mass marketing campaigns; treatment recommendations; patient consultations; medical reports; motivational attitudes; patient attitudes; information processing styles; perceived understanding; patient compliance; adherence to treatment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNVO.2016.076487

International Journal of Networking and Virtual Organisations, 2016 Vol.16 No.2, pp.191 - 203

Received: 02 Jul 2015
Accepted: 13 Jul 2015
Published online: 10 May 2016 *

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