Innovative approaches in eHealth interventions

Abstract

Aims The aim of this symposium is to present innovative approaches in eHealth interventions that can positively influence levels of reach, use and effectiveness. The symposium will consider the effectiveness of interventions developed for different target groups, including not only the general population, but also young adults and cancer survivors. In addition, the effects on several health behaviours, ranging from mental health to dietary intake, smoking cessation and multiple behaviour change are discussed. Rationale eHealth interventions have been proven to be effective in changing health behaviours. However, their actual impact on public health is often limited due to suboptimal levels of reach and use by the target group. It is therefore imperative to invest in innovative strategies to optimize reach, use and effectiveness of these interventions. Summary De Vries will open this symposium by demonstrating innovative strategies that can be used to achieve multiple behaviour change with an eHealth intervention for the general population, by focusing on a sequential and simultaneous approach to lifestyle change. Savvides developed an Avatar led Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) eHealth intervention and examined how adding insights from ACT can stimulate smoking cessation among young adults. Willems will address the use of an eHealth intervention to increase the quality of life among cancer survivor by assisting them in dealing with frequently occurring psychological problems. Storm will then focus on compensatory health beliefs which have been found to interfere with the adoption and maintenance of recommended health behaviours. Her study focuses on the influence of these beliefs on health behaviour change supported by an eHealth intervention. Finally, Schneider will focus on increasing the public health impact of eHealth interventions by using a proactive strategy to disseminate an eHealth intervention promoting mental fitness. Positive effects regarding levels of reach, use and effectiveness will be discussed.