Rural Perspectives of Online Lifestyle Medicine Intervention Delivery, Digital Data Collection, and Health Behavior...

Purpose: Chronic diseases contribute toward increased rates of disability, morbidity, and mortality around the world. People living in rural areas are disproportionately more likely to have chronic diseases and greater chronic disease risk from modifiable lifestyle risk factors. The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of rural participants of an online lifestyle medicine intervention study regarding online health program delivery format, digital data collection, and making health behavior modifications. Design: The study had a descriptive qualitative design using individual semi-structured interviews via Zoom to collect information from a subset of intervention group participants. The interviews (n = 26) were transcribed within the Zoom application and checked for accuracy. Grounded theory guided the thematic analysis of qualitative data using an iterative process to discover patterns, concepts, and central themes. Results: Four categorical themes emerged: Online and Digital Format, Health Behavior Outcomes, Health Behavior Change Barriers, and Health Behavior Change Facilitators. The findings highlighted rural perspectives about participating in online and digital intervention study modalities and making health behavior changes, including barriers and facilitators. Conclusion: The results emphasize that people living in rural areas can actively participate in online interventions, digitally complete study activities, and make healthier lifestyle choices.