Developing an eHealth intervention for and with cardiac patients with a low socioeconomic position: lessons learned through the application of the inclusive eHealth guide

Despite the growing body of knowledge on designing eHealth for low SEP groups, the practical application of this knowledge remains difficult, partly due to a lack of detailed descriptions of design processes and limited use of practical guidance. In this study, we aimed to refine the Inclusive eHealth Guide through a case study in cardiac rehabilitation, explore its application, describe the design process, and evaluate the developed eHealth intervention’s acceptance. We used the Inclusive eHealth Guide as a reference throughout the design process, involving 16 cardiac patients with a low SEP and seven healthcare professionals. The outcome was a tailored digital intervention aimed at empowering patients during the waiting period preceding cardiac rehabilitation. We applied 64% of the Inclusive eHealth Guide’s recommendations, with some exceptions due to inapplicability or resource constraints. Key lessons learned emphasized flexibility, stakeholder engagement through participatory methods, personalization features, and a focus on core functionalities for resource allocation and user acceptance. The resulting prototype received positive acceptance from the target group for usability, experience, and perceived impact. In conclusion, this study provides practical insights into enhancing the Inclusive eHealth Guide’s applicability and informs future researchers and practitioners undertaking similar design studies.