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Table 2 Summary of solutions to deliver the eHealth programme in general practice

From: What do general practitioners think about an online self-regulation programme for health promotion? Focus group interviews

Barriers

Solutions

Lack of time

• Let patients use the eHealth programme on a tablet during the waiting time before consultation.

• Let patients start the eHealth programme in practice. When time is up let them halt the programme and motivate them to resume it back at home.

• Give an additional flyer to patients to motivate them to resume or start the eHealth programme at home.

Risk of theft of the tablet when used in the waiting room.

• Use a security system in the waiting room.

Playing games on the tablet in the waiting room instead of using the eHealth programme.

• Use an application blocker on the tablet.

Not clear where the tablet is meant for.

• Use attractive posters and flyers that explain what the tablet is aiming for.

For group practices: let the practice assistants explain the eHealth programme to patients and let them motivate and assist patients to use the tablet.

Working with an appointment system, implicating there is no waiting time before consultation.

• Give the tablet after the consultation and let patients use it in the waiting room.

In case patients cannot stay in practice, give an additional flyer with the web link on to motivate them to start the intervention at home.

Difficult to mention the eHealth programme because patients have other priorities.

Examples of types of consultations in which the eHealth programme can be mentioned easily:

• When prescribing new medication;

• When taking blood tests;

• When giving vaccinations;

• When prescribing anti-conception;

• When patients have questions or start talking about nutrition and physical activity.

Emails for follow-up are too time consuming and create issues of responsibility.

• Use online follow-up modules based on computer tailoring.

• Use a medical platform to receive the action plans of patients’.

• Plan additional consultations with patients’ who want to discuss their advice and action plan.