Using human-centered design to develop a nurse-to-family telehealth intervention for pediatric transfers

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Technology
• Patient and Family Engagement
• Pediatric Nursing

Background:

• Pediatric inter-facility transfers present unique communication challenges between healthcare providers and families.
• Existing telehealth interventions may not adequately address the specific needs of pediatric patients and their families during transfers.
• A human-centered design (HCD) approach offers a framework for developing patient-centric healthcare solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a nurse-to-family telehealth intervention tailored for pediatric inter-facility transfers.
• To utilize the human-centered design process to ensure the intervention meets the needs of patients, families, and healthcare providers.
• To identify key themes and requirements for an effective and equitable telehealth communication tool.

Main Methods:

• Employed the inspiration and ideation phases of the HCD process (July-December 2022).
• Conducted a 3-month qualitative cross-sectional study with parent and provider interviews, utilizing thematic analysis.
• Held a multidisciplinary stakeholder workshop for solution brainstorming and iterative refinement of the telehealth intervention based on feedback.

Main Results:

• Interviews with 9 parents, 11 nurses, and 13 physicians yielded four key themes: intervention promise, clear communication of purpose, user-friendly workflow, and equitable benefit for diverse populations.
• Twenty-two workshop participants engaged with 'How Might We' statements derived from themes.
• Iterative feedback from 67 stakeholders refined the nurse-to-family telehealth intervention until consensus on improvements was reached.

Conclusions:

• The HCD process successfully facilitated stakeholder engagement in developing a nurse-to-family telehealth intervention.
• The developed intervention addresses critical needs for communication, usability, and equity in pediatric inter-facility transfers.
• The intervention is poised for further evaluation through a feasibility and pilot trial in the implementation phase.