The impact of participant characteristics on use and satisfaction of a web-based computer-tailored chronic obstructive pulmonary disease self-management intervention: A process evaluation

Abstract

Background: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) showed that a Web-based computer-tailored self-management intervention for people with or at risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) did not have a significant treatment effect. Process evaluation measures such as application use and satisfaction with the intervention can help understand these results. Objectives: The aim of this paper is to uncover reasons for suboptimal application use, evaluate satisfaction with the intervention, and investigate which participant characteristics predict application use and user satisfaction. Methods: Participants were recruited through 2 different channels: An online panel and general practice. The intervention group received the intervention, which consisted of 2 modules (smoking cessation and physical activity). The control group received no intervention. The study employed a mixed methods design. Quantitative and qualitative data were gathered assessing participant characteristics, application use, reasons for not using the application, and satisfaction with the intervention. Results: The RCT included 1325 participants. The proportion of individuals who participated was significantly higher in the online group (4072/6844, 59.5%) compared to the general practice group (43/335, 12.8%) (P