Julian set out to design an intervention that would support a healthy and preventative dyadic lifestyle after a myocardial infarction (heart attack).
The current care pathway for patients following a myocardial infarction (MI) has identified a paradox in long-term chronic care: modification of cardiovascular risk factors reduces mortality and prevents recurrent cardiac events. However, MI survivors rarely change their lifestyle and often revert to old habits. A gap has been identified in the system due to a lack of professional and social support for adherence to cardiovascular risk management. To fill this gap, this study looks at how the patient’s partner can be supported and empowered by the healthcare system to play this role positively.
A future solution is envisioned in which the patient’s partner is actively given a central role in participating in long-term lifestyle change: Partners will be empowered and guided by the healthcare system, using an eHealth intervention driven by hybrid intelligence and P4 mechanisms (prevention, prediction, personalisation, participation) to positively support the patient in the right way at the right time in their long-term lifestyle change.
WeCAIR is a user-friendly interface de- signed from the perspective of the patient’s partner. The interface has three main features: (1) personalised dyadic route, (2) behavioural support and (3) lifestyle education. These features aim to empower and guide the partner to take a balanced role with their partner (the patient) in the process of adjusting to chronic illness. The aim is to provide the right support at the right time to help the patient make long-term lifestyle changes.