Strengths, limitations and future research
CML
CML
In our study a number of strengths and limitations are recognized. First, our results are strengthened by the presence of a questionnaire group. Despite the limited sample size and the sample being a convenience sample, it encompasses an adequate, nationwide, representation of Dutch CML patients. Our preference-based design has advantages compared to randomised controlled trials (RCTs). EHealth users should be motivated in order to actually use the innovation. Patients with a strong preference for one of the arms who refuse randomisation may be absent in RCTs. Also, literature shows high dropout and nonresponse rates in studies evaluating the effectiveness of eHealth using RCTs. When randomising patients to use or not use an eHealth innovation, bias will be introduced. Not all patients in the intervention group wanted to use the innovation and patients in the control group could have wanted to use the intervention but were not allowed to. Absence, dropout, and nonresponse of patients affects generalisability of study results, which is not the case in a preference based design [