Evaluation of a collaboratively designed digital rehabilitation plan: end users' evaluating its potential for shared...

Area of Science:

• Digital health interventions
• Rehabilitation technology
• Healthcare informatics

Background:

• A collaborative design process involving technologists and healthcare professionals developed a web platform for digital rehabilitation plans.
• This initiative addresses challenges in information and communication technology (ICT) for rehabilitation, including fragmented data and poor user interfaces.
• The digital plan supports shared decision-making by enabling patient customization and providing healthcare professional access.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess end-user healthcare professionals' and patients' experiences with a digital rehabilitation plan's usability.
• To evaluate the platform's potential for facilitating shared decision-making in rehabilitation.
• To identify areas for improvement in the digital rehabilitation planning tool.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative exploratory study utilizing semi-structured focus group discussions.
• Participants included patients, healthcare professionals, and a combined group, discussing various rehabilitation stages.
• Reflexive thematic analysis was applied to transcribed discussions to identify patterns and perspectives.

Main Results:

• Patients and professionals recognized the digital plan's value for shared decision-making.
• Patients desired more digital support tools (e.g., 'my page,' chat, educational content).
• Healthcare professionals showed reluctance due to past ICT experiences, but combined discussions shifted their views towards improved collaboration.

Conclusions:

• Involving all stakeholders in digital tool design is essential to meet end-user needs.
• Patient involvement in design and implementation can enhance usability and promote digital communication in rehabilitation.
• Bringing stakeholders together can overcome professional barriers and leverage patient enthusiasm for digital tools, improving shared decision-making.