The use of smartphone applications in patients attending tia clinic

Ten major risk factors account for 90% of the population attributable stroke risk. Smartphone applications may be used for education and self-managing risk factors. We aimed to explore use and attitudes towards smartphones in a TIA clinic. Methods From September 2015 consecutive patients attending University College Hospitals, London TIA clinic completed a questionnaire, relating to, stroke risk factors and use of smartphones. A likert scale (strongly disagree=1, strongly agree=10) evaluated attitudes towards Smartphone applications in stroke education and management. Results 118 patients completed the questionnaire. Mean age 62.7 (±15.8) years, 57 (48.3%) male. Twenty (17%) were ≥80 years. Internet access was available for 98 (83.1%). Smartphones were used by 78 (66.1%), including 7 (35.0%) ≥80 yrs. Applications used included internet access in 61 (78.2%), calendar 55 (70.5%), social media 39 (50.0%) and games 20 (25.6%) games. Only 16 (20.5%) used lifestyle applications. Few, 3 (3.8%), recorded medical information on their smartphone despite 25 (21.2%) presenting without knowing their medications. Patients reported that they were in favour of accessing stroke information on Smartphones, median response 8 (interquartile range (IQR) 4.75), and that they would use an application showing progress; e.g updates on weight, exercise and blood pressure, median 8 (IQR 4) and to record medications and results, median 8 (IQR 5). Patients attending hospital TIA s...
Source: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry - Category: Neurosurgery Authors: Tags: Stroke, Hypertension ABN Annual Meeting, 17-19 May 2016, The Brighton Centre, Brighton Source Type: research