Health self-management of older employees: identifying critical peak experiences of a patient portal

Authors

• Paula Valkonen Department of Computer Science, Aalto University
• Sari Kujala Department of Computer Science, Aalto University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5586-3725
• Iiris Hörhammer Department of Computer Science, Aalto University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9024-4153
• Kaisa Savolainen Department of Computer Science, Aalto University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2907-6036
• Riina-Riitta Helminen Suomen Terveystalo Oy; Institute of Healthcare Engineering, Management and Architecture, Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Aalto University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3234-6298
• Iina Vartia Marketing and Consumption Research Group, Business Studies, University of Vaasa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4303-4193

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23996/fjhw.126837

Keywords:

occupational health, patient portal, software design, survey, telemedicine, user-centered design

Abstract

Digitalization could provide efficient and cost-effective health and well-being services to the rapidly aging population. However, digital services do not always meet their needs. We investigated the experiences and service needs of older employees by collecting quantitative and qualitative data through a survey (n = 497). The results suggested a negative association between user satisfaction and age during retirement transition. Peak experiences were meaningful, explaining a 26% variation in the overall evaluation of the portal. The negative peak experiences concerned poorly functioning features, and the positive ones the ability to take care of one’s health smoothly and easily. The respondents had high expectations for functionality, efficiency, and ease of use. They wanted more support for self-managing health: controlling weight, sleeping, recovery, and exercising.