Free Standard AU & NZ Shipping For All Book Orders Over $80!
Register      Login
Australian Journal of Primary Health Australian Journal of Primary Health Society
The issues influencing community health services and primary health care
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

Using quick response codes to access digital health resources in the general practice waiting room

Elizabeth P. Hu A B * , Cassie E. McDonald https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9518-5869 C D , Yida Zhou C , Philip Jakanovski E and Phyllis Lau https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0665-6348 A F
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of General Practice, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic 3010, Australia.

B Austin Health, Heidelberg, Vic 3084, Australia.

C Alfred Health, 55 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic 3004, Australia.

D Department of Physiotherapy, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic 3010, Australia.

E Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Vic 3010, Australia.

F School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2751, Australia.

* Correspondence to: elizabethpeiweihu@gmail.com

Australian Journal of Primary Health 30, PY24009 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY24009
Submitted: 29 January 2024  Accepted: 3 October 2024  Published: 22 October 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of La Trobe University. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)

Abstract

Background

Quick response (QR) codes are an established method of communication in today’s society. However, the role of QR codes for linking to health information in general practice waiting areas has not yet been explored.

Methods

This mixed-methods study used both quantitative data measuring QR scans and qualitative data from follow-up semi-structured interviews with visitors to two general practice waiting areas to determine access to an online health information site and their experience of using the QR code. The technology acceptance model was used to guide the interview questions. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, and qualitative data were analysed thematically using an inductive approach.

Results

A total of 263 QR scans were recorded across the two sites between October 2022 and October 2023. Twelve participants were interviewed. Eleven themes were identified; six were categorised as facilitators and five were barriers to QR code engagement. Motivation for engagement included boredom and curiosity. Facilitators for engaging with the QR code included familiarity secondary to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, benefits of accessing potentially sensitive information with anonymity, convenience of revisiting later and reduced paper waste. Barriers included size and location of the QR code as a limiting factor to engagement, waiting room wait time, privacy and security concerns, and the potential to exclude those without access to technology or those with low technological literacy.

Conclusion

Using QR codes in the general practice waiting area is a convenient method of presenting health information to visitors and patients. Our findings indicate that this may be an appropriate method to share health information in waiting areas. Facilitators and barriers identified in this study may assist with optimising engagement with health information via QR codes while waiting for appointments.

Keywords: general practice, health literacy, health promotion, health services, information disseminatione, primary care, quick response codes, waiting rooms.

References

Australian Bureau of Statistics (2023) 13.2 million Australians exposed to scams. ABS, Canberra. Available at https://www.abs.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/132-million-australians-exposed-scams [accessed October 2023]

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2023) Older Australians. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: Canberra. Available at https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/older-people/older-australians [accessed October 2023]

Ballew M, Marlon J, Rosenthal S, et al. (2019) Do younger generations care more about global warming. Available at https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/do-younger-generations-care-more-about-global-warming/

Berkhout C, Zgorska-Meynard-Moussa S, Willefert-Bouche A, Favre J, Peremans L, Van Royen P (2018) Audiovisual aids in primary healthcare settings’ waiting rooms. A systematic review. European Journal of General Practice 24(1), 202-210.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Durant LE, Carey MP, Schroder KEE (2002) Effects of anonymity, gender, and erotophilia on the quality of data obtained from self-reports of socially sensitive behaviors. Journal of Behavioral Medicine 25(5), 439-467.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Garside R, Ayres R, Owen M, et al. (2002) Anonymity and confidentiality: rural teenagers’ concerns when accessing sexual health services. BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health 28, 23-26.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Han JK (1992) Involvement and Advertisement Size Effects on Information Processing. Advances in Consumer Research 19, 762-769.
| Google Scholar |

Holden RJ, Karsh BT (2010) The technology acceptance model: its past and its future in health care. Journal of Biomedical Informatics 43(1), 159-172.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Howarth J (2023) How many people own smartphones? (2023–2028). Available at https://explodingtopics.com/blog/smartphone-stats [accessed October 2023]

Jansen CJM, Koops van ‘t Jagt R, Reijneveld SA, van Leeuwen E, de Winter AF, Hoeks JCJ (2021) Improving health literacy responsiveness: a randomized study on the uptake of brochures on doctor-patient communication in primary health care waiting rooms. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18(9), 5025.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Karia CT, Hughes A, Carr S (2019) Uses of quick response codes in healthcare education: a scoping review. BMC Medical Education 19(1), 456.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Keyworth C, Epton T, Goldthorpe J, Calam R, Armitage CJ (2020) Perceptions of receiving behaviour change interventions from GPs during routine consultations: a qualitative study. PLoS ONE 15(5), e0233399.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Lau P, Tran MT, Kim RY, Alrefae AH, Ryu S, Teh JC (2023) E-prescription: views and acceptance of general practitioners and pharmacists in Greater Sydney. Australian Journal of Primary Health 30,.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Lochmiller CR (2021) Conducting thematic analysis with qualitative data. The Qualitative Report 26(6), 2029-2044.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Malterud K, Siersma VD, Guassora AD (2016) Sample size in qualitative interview studies: guided by information power. Qualitative Health Research 26(13), 1753-1760.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

McDonald CE, Remedios LJ, Said CM, Granger CL (2021) Health literacy in hospital outpatient waiting areas: an observational study of what is available to and accessed by consumers. HERD 14(3), 124-139.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

McDonald CE, Voutier C, Govil D, D’Souza AN, Truong D, Abo S, Remedios LJ, Granger CL (2023) Do health service waiting areas contribute to the health literacy of consumers? A scoping review. Health Promotion International 38(4), daad046.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Motio (2022) Motio revolutionizes the medical practice waiting room experience. Available at https://www.motio.com.au/motio-revolutionizes-the-medical-practice-waiting-room-experience/ [accessed December 2023]

Nove (2023) Detailed statistics report: QR code usage worldwide before and after Covid-19. Available at https://www.qrcode-tiger.com/qr-code-statistics-before-and-after-covid-19#QR_code_Covid-19_statistics_report_Usage_after_Covid [accessed October 2023]

Penry Williams C, Elliott K, Gall J, Woodward-Kron R (2019) Patient and clinician engagement with health information in the primary care waiting room: a mixed methods case study. Journal of Public Health Research 8(1), 1476.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Poortinga W, Whitmarsh L, Steg L, Böhm G, Fisher S (2019) Climate change perceptions and their individual-level determinants: a cross-European analysis. Global Environmental Change 55, 25-35.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Rahimi B, Nadri H, Lotfnezhad Afshar H, Timpka T (2018) A systematic review of the technology acceptance model in health informatics. Applied Clinical Informatics 9(3), 604-634.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Rodrigue E (2021) What is a QR code + how does it work? Everything marketers should know. HubSpot. Available at https://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/16088/everything-a-marketer-should-know-about-qr-codes.aspx#:~:text=A%20QR%20code%20works%20similarly,This%20transaction%20happens%20in%20seconds [accessed October 2023]

Sharara S, Radia S (2022) Quick response (QR) codes for patient information delivery: a digital innovation during the coronavirus pandemic. Journal of Orthodontics 49(1), 89-97.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Thompson N, Lee K (2013) Information security challenge of QR codes. Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law 8(2), 2.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Zhan Z (2020) iOS Closes web page opened by camera QR scan when quit. Stack Overflow. Available at https://stackoverflow.com/questions/61096209/ios-closes-web-page-opened-by-camera-qr-scan-when-quit [accessed November 2023]