Digital technology becomes increasingly important and can improve health outcomes. New technologies have been developed that are of interest for patients and healthcare professionals. Electronic health applications are also called eHealth. It can help to address healthcare challenges such as shortness of staff, high workload and increasing number of chronic patients. Unfortunately, 4 million Dutch citizens are not digital literate and therefore have difficulties in using eHealth.  
We explored barriers and facilitators of COPD patients regarding e-health. This information can be used by future developers and policymakers to enhance accessibility.
In 2 focus groups, we spoke with COPD patients (n=13) about their experiences, with technology, barriers, eHealth and facilitating factors. 
Some patients used an eHealth self management application, or accessed their electronic patient record. the focus groups showed that there are different barriers that patient can face such as fear of losing face-to-face contact, lack of basic tech knowledge, (e.g. not knowing a WebCam is needed for an online consultation), medical information is too complex, difficulties remembering instructions about how to use technology. The social environment, plays and essential role: patients who use some type of technology needed help from a spouse, family or friends. 
Although all patients has access to Internet at home, most of them faced severe difficulties in using technology. The barriers discovered in the study can be used by policymakers to improve access to digital care, hence future healthcare, of those with poor digital skills. At the ERS I will present stories of patients  from the focus groups.