Seizure detection devices: Exploring caregivers' needs and wishes

Area of Science:

• Medical device design
• Human-computer interaction
• Epilepsy care

Background:

• Previous user preference studies for seizure detection devices (SDDs) using surveys and interviews did not fully explore latent needs.
• Context mapping is a design approach that uncovers users' dreams and fears to anticipate future experiences and optimize product design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore latent needs and wishes of users for nocturnal seizure detection devices (SDDs) using the context mapping approach.
• To identify key factors influencing caregiver trust and inform the design of more effective SDDs.

Main Methods:

• A generative group session was conducted with professional and informal caregivers using the context mapping approach.
• Qualitative data from transcribed sessions and collected materials were analyzed using inductive content analysis.

Main Results:

• 'Trust' emerged as a central theme, encompassing emotional and practical factors influencing caregiver confidence in SDDs.
• Key factors for gaining trust include modality integration, overnight parameter transparency, algorithm personalization, neurologist recommendation, and a setup period.
• Alerting needs differed: professional caregivers preferred alerts for dangerous seizures, while informal caregivers desired alerts for all events, highlighting the need for adjustable settings.

Conclusions:

• Gaining caregiver trust is paramount for the successful implementation of nocturnal seizure detection devices (SDDs).
• The ability to adjust SDD settings is essential to meet the distinct needs of different caregiver types, particularly regarding alert preferences.