Digital healthcare is changing the relationship between patients and healthcare professionals. This thesis shows that digital tools give patients a more active role in their care and often match their needs well. Video consultations stand out as a major success: more than 90% of patients reported a positive experience. Patients especially appreciated convenience, time savings, and effective communication with healthcare professionals.
The research also reveals that patients value different aspects of online health information than healthcare professionals. Easy access to information, privacy, and opportunities to connect with others with similar experiences ranked highly among patients and parents. In addition, most patients viewed artificial intelligence positively and expected benefits such as more accurate diagnoses, greater efficiency, and more personalized care. These findings highlight that successful digital healthcare starts with understanding patients’ preferences. The thesis provides practical guidance for designing and implementing digital innovations that improve both patient experience and quality of care.
Stefanie van den Bosch (Nijmegen, 1984) studied Dentistry and Medicine at Radboud University. After completing her training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, she worked in Amsterdam and Haarlem. Since 2019, she has been an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon at Radboudumc, where, in addition to providing patient care, she coordinates education within the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Her PhD research focuses on patient centered eHealth interventions in oral and maxillofacial surgery.