Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40802388›Full record

ArticleJournal of medical Internet research2025

Patients' Experiences With Using a Digital Platform for Chat-Based Consultation in Primary Health Care in Sweden: Qualitative Study.

Pär Eriksson, Felicia Gabrielsson-Järhult, Helén Thorold Nylin, Evalill Nilsson

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of medical Internet research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Pär ErikssoneHealth Institute, Department of Medicine and Optometry, Faculty of Health and Life Science, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9546-9930
Felicia Gabrielsson-JärhultDepartment of Quality Improvement and Leadership, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4440-7198
Helén Thorold NylinImprovement and Innovation Unit, Region Östergötland, Linköping, Sweden.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8546-4283
Evalill NilssoneHealth Institute, Department of Medicine and Optometry, Faculty of Health and Life Science, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4497-8313

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe growing demand for primary health care necessitates more efficient use of resources. Digital health solutions, such as online platforms for patient-provider communication, are seen as promising tools to enhance service delivery efficiency. However, adoption in Swedish primary health care remains limited. Understanding the factors that influence patients' choices regarding digital health services is essential to realizing potential efficiency gains as these services scale.

objectiveThis study aims to explore patients' experiences using the digital platform 1177-direkt for chat-based consultations in Swedish primary health care, with a focus on understanding their concerns when accessing services digitally.

methodsWe conducted 23 semistructured interviews between March 2024 and December 2024 with patients from 3 health care regions in southeastern Sweden, focusing on their use of 1177-direkt to contact their primary health care center (PHCC). Thematic analysis was performed using an inductive approach. Additionally, a sentiment analysis was conducted, categorizing statements as positive, negative, or neutral. The unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) framework was applied to interpret the findings, given its widespread use in predicting technology acceptance in consumer contexts.

resultsThree main themes emerged: (1) digital technology's impact on access to services, (2) perceived digital platform functionality and usability, and (3) shifts in the patient-provider dynamic through digital communication. In addition, there were 9 subthemes. Patients expected quicker access to their PHCC via the platform, but this was often offset by delays later in the process. Most found the platform easy to navigate, though uncertainty remained about appropriate use cases. Concerns were raised about the automated symptom checker, which was seen as either too broad or too narrow and often failed to interpret or contextualize patient input-leaving users to draw their own conclusions. Patients, especially returning users, expressed a desire for more personalized interactions and perceived a tension between digital contact and relational continuity. Sentiment analysis revealed that infrequent users of health care responded more negatively than frequent users.

conclusionsThis study highlights a wide range of user experiences, with most participants encountering both benefits and challenges. The sentiment analysis offered novel insights not commonly reported in similar research. To enhance the efficiency of digital platforms in primary care, key areas to address include ease of access, time-saving potential, and a more personalized user experience. Neglecting the needs of returning patients may hinder broader adoption of digital primary care services.

Indexed as

Patient SatisfactionPrimary Health CareReferral and ConsultationAdultAgedFemaleHumansInterviews as TopicMaleMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchSwedenTelemedicinehealth services accessibilitypatient satisfactionprimary health caretechnology acceptancetelemedicinethematic analysis

Identifiers

PMID40802388
PMCPMC12401068

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.