eHealth promoting stoma self-care for people with an elimination ostomy: focus group study

Background: The construction of an elimination stoma has a physical, psychological and social impact on the person. The development of stoma self-care competence contributes to the adaptation to a new health condition and to the improvement of the quality of life. Technological evolution emerges as a useful tool in nursing intervention. Objective: To define the most relevant contents and features for ostomy self-care promotion to be integrated into an e-Health platform Methods: A qualitative study was developed, using the focus group methodology, oriented to reach a consensus of 80% or higher. Results: An e-Health platform for people with ostomy should expose content aimed at promoting self-care, namely in the field of knowledge and self-monitoring, as well as the possibility of interacting with a stomatherapy care nurse. Conclusions: The e-Health platforms aimed at promoting ostomy self-care should have the possibility of performing telehealth, helping in decision-making regarding self-monitoring and seeking differentiated help.