Development of a digital Health Report System : From exploration of need to identification of health-related problems in young people

Sammanfattning: Introduction While foremost mental health and psychosomatic symptoms are increasing in young people, little is known about the health in young people visiting Youth Health Clinics (YHC). Also, there is no unified health survey used to collect overall health data from young people nationally at YHCs.Aims To develop a health- and welfare technology tool to identify and increase knowledge about health-related problems in young people visiting YHCs.Methods The structured development of a health and welfare technology tool, the Health Report System (studies I to III) had a consultative level participatory approach. Study I was qualitative and contained interviews with young people on content and design for a digital questionnaire. Studies II and III had mixed methods design and included young people, healthcare professionals, and a researcher expert panel. Qualitative data came from interviews and quantitative data from questionnaires. The studies evaluated usability and feasibility. Study IV was quantitative and used data from the evaluation questionnaire, exploring the mediated association of variables on mental well-being, using a set of regression analyses.Results Study I: Young people (n=15) were positive to use a health and welfare technology tool if it was in accordance with their needs. It should give an overview of mental-, physical-, and sexual health and social support. The results should be discussed with healthcare professionals during a health assessment. Study II: The researchers used guidelines to develop the Health Report System and included ten validated and reliable health questionnaires. The usability of the Health Report System was evaluated by young people (n=4), YHC healthcare professionals (n=3), and an expert panel (n=7). The converged qualitative and quantitative data showed that the Health Report System was very usable for YHCs. Study III: The qualitative results from healthcare professionals’ interviews (n=11) and quantitative questionnaire results from young people (n=54) were merged. Using a matrix for assessment of feasibility, the researcher's consensus decision, was that progression and use of the Health Report System in an intervention study was feasible. Study IV: Results from young people’s (n=223) health data showed statistical significance for the mediating effect of social functioning between the sense of mastery and mental well-being. Conclusion This thesis presents that the Health Report System has the potential to identify health-related problems in young people, strengthen the health communication between young people and healthcare professionals, and influence the YHC organization.