[Predisposition of citizens to use Internet-based channels to communicate with doctors in Spain]. / Predisposición ciudadana en España a utilizar canales de comunicación con el médico basados en internet.

OBJECTIVE: Analyze factors affecting the predisposition of Spanish citizens to use Internet-based communication channels (E-mail, blogs, social networks, and online recommendations). METHODS: Secondary data were analyzed by applying a boosted regression tree (BRT) to the results obtained from the survey "Use and Applications of Information and Communications Technology in Health," administered to a representative sample of the Spanish population between 16 and 85 years of age who use the Internet. RESULTS: Model forecasts achieved different degrees of precision for each of the communication channels: for E-mail, AUC (area under the curve) = 0.79; for the physician's blog or personal website, AUC = 0.736; for social networks, AUC = 0.73; for recommendations of websites related to health problems, AUC = 0.768. Being young was the most important parameter in citizen predisposition to communicate through social networks (relative influence; RI = 21.05%), while population density was the most important parameter in likelihood that the physician would have a blog or personal health-related website (RI = 19.48%). Having a positive perception of the technology when facilitating health-related transactions was the most important characteristic in wanting to receive recommendations on health-related Internet resources (RI = 18.66%), while having a higher level of education was the best predictor of wanting to establish E-mail communication (RI = 18.98%). CONCLUSIONS: Many of Spanish people are open to using physician-patient interaction channels on the Internet.

Predisposición ciudadana en España a utilizar canales de comunicación con el médico basados en internet / Predisposition of citizens to use Internet-based channels to communicate with doctors in Spain

OBJETIVO: Analizar los factores que condicionan la predisposición de los ciudadanos españoles a utilizar los canales de comunicación basados en internet (correo electrónico, blogs, redes sociales y recomendaciones sobre recursos en internet). MÉTODOS: Análisis de datos secundarios mediante la técnica de árboles de regresión impulsados (BRT, Boosted Regression Trees) sobre los resultados obtenidos de la encuesta "Uso y aplicaciones de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación en el ámbito sanitario", representativa de la población española de entre 16 y 85 años que utiliza internet. RESULTADOS: Las predicciones de los modelos alcanzaron diferentes grados de precisión para cada canal de comunicación: a través de correo electrónico, AUC (Area Under the Curve, área bajo la curva) = 0,79; que el médico tenga un blog o página web personal, AUC = 0,736; a través de redes sociales, AUC = 0,73; recibir recomendaciones de páginas web relacionadas con problemas de salud, AUC = 0,768. Ser joven fue el parámetro más importante para explicar la disposición ciudadana a comunicarse a través de redes sociales (IR [influencia relativa] = 21,05%), mientras que la densidad poblacional lo fue para estar dispuesto a que el médico tenga un blog o página web personal sobre salud (IR = 19,48%). Tener una percepción positiva de las tecnologías a la hora de facilitar los trámites en salud es la característica más importante para desear recibir recomendaciones sobre recursos de internet en salud (IR = 18,66%) mientras que tener un mayor nivel educativo fue lo que mejor predice el deseo de establecer comunicación a través de correo electrónico (IR=18,98%). CONCLUSIONES: Una buena parte de la población española se encuentra suficientemente preparada para utilizar canales de interacción médico-paciente a través de internet.

OBJECTIVE: Analyze factors affecting the predisposition of Spanish citizens to use Internet-based communication channels (E-mail, blogs, social networks, and online recommendations). METHODS: Secondary data were analyzed by applying a boosted regression tree (BRT) to the results obtained from the survey "Use and Applications of Information and Communications Technology in Health," administered to a representative sample of the Spanish population between 16 and 85 years of age who use the Internet. RESULTS: Model forecasts achieved different degrees of precision for each of the communication channels: for E-mail, AUC (area under the curve) = 0.79; for the physician's blog or personal website, AUC = 0.736; for social networks, AUC = 0.73; for recommendations of websites related to health problems, AUC = 0.768. Being young was the most important parameter in citizen predisposition to communicate through social networks (relative influence; RI = 21.05%), while population density was the most important parameter in likelihood that the physician would have a blog or personal health-related website (RI = 19.48%). Having a positive perception of the technology when facilitating health-related transactions was the most important characteristic in wanting to receive recommendations on health-related Internet resources (RI = 18.66%), while having a higher level of education was the best predictor of wanting to establish E-mail communication (RI = 18.98%). CONCLUSIONS: Many of Spanish people are open to using physician-patient interaction channels on the Internet.

Professional involvement in the design of accreditation manuals.

PURPOSE: This paper aims to describe the participation of health professionals as key agents for the successful definition of skills manuals supporting professional accreditation in Andalusia (Spain). DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The increasing extent to which different stakeholders are recognized reflects the importance they hold in all decision-making processes. The Andalusian Agency for Healthcare Quality's commitment to this process has facilitated the healthcare professionals' participation when professional skills manuals are designed for their respective specialities. FINDINGS: The process involved over 400 healthcare professionals from 58 disciplines between March 2005 and January 2008. Results were conditioned by several factors, some acting as drivers while others represented a barrier. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: The experience relates to a specific geographical context. Healthcare professionals eligible to participate had to be in active employment and working for the Andalusian Public Health Service. There was an overrepresentation of members from scientific associations. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Co-operation based on mutual trust is the essential ingredient accounting for the success of participative involvement. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The paper incorporates all categories of personnel and specialities in a regional healthcare system that covers eight million inhabitants and employs over 90,000 professionals, includes 33 public hospitals, more than 1,500 primary care centres and other healthcare units.