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Paediatric Preparedness: Document Analysis of the Challenges Experienced Using Smartwatch Technologies to Support
Sonia Butler1, Dean Sculley1, Derek Santos2
1School of Bioscience and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, NSW 2258, Australia.
Insights
Implementing smartwatch technology for chronic condition management in children faces setup challenges. Infrastructure issues and phone restrictions hinder integration, requiring more resources for successful pediatric digital health support.
Area of Science:
- Digital Health
- Pediatric Chronic Conditions
- Wearable Technology
Background:
- Smartwatch technology offers potential for managing chronic health conditions.
- Many digital health innovations fail due to inadequate foundational setup.
- Successful implementation requires addressing challenges in early intervention phases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore challenges during the setup phase of a smartwatch intervention for children with chronic health conditions.
- To inform the prototype development of a digital health intervention for pediatric use.
- To identify barriers hindering the clinical adoption of smartwatch technology.
Main Methods:
- An exploratory study involving five children with chronic conditions wearing a smartwatch for 14 days.
- Collection of health data including pain levels, medication adherence, and physical activity.
- Qualitative analysis of written records from children, parents, and the research team using READ's four steps and SRQR checklist.
Main Results:
- Infrastructure limitations, such as inexpensive smartphones and poor clinic internet connectivity, impeded setup and training.
- Restrictions related to personal phone usage limited setup, training, and engagement.
- Providing children with dedicated digital support, including a smartphone and data, enabled active participation.
Conclusions:
- Significant barriers hinder the effective use of smartwatch technology in pediatric clinical practice.
- Addressing infrastructure and personal device limitations is crucial for digital health interventions.
- Increased resources are necessary to prepare pediatric patients for digital health support through wearables.
Abstract:
Smartwatch technology is increasingly being used to support the management of chronic health conditions. Yet, many new digital health innovations fail because the correct foundations are not well established. This exploratory study aims to uncover the challenges experienced during the setup phase of a smartwatch intervention, to support the prototype development of a digital health intervention for children. Five children with a chronic health condition were asked to wear a smartwatch for 14 days that collects health data (pain levels, medication adherence, and physical activity performance). To explore the experiences of these children, their parents and the research team, all written records were analysed using READ's four steps of document analysis and reported using the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist. The following three themes emerged: 1.) Infrastructure limitations: inexpensive smartphones prevented connection, and outpatient clinics' internet black spots constrained setup and training; 2.) Personal phone restrictions: limited setup, training, and engagement; 3.) Elimination of the parent's phone: provided children with digital support (a smartphone, pre-installed apps, cellular data) to allow active participation. Overall, we identified barriers hindering the use of smartwatch technology in clinical practice. More resources are needed to ensure paediatric preparedness for digital health support.
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