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Barriers and levers to using an app for motor function assessment by therapists in hospitals: A qualitative study of
Dominique Vincent-Genod1,2, Manon Verroul3, Pascal Rippert3
1Hospices Civils de Lyon, Centre Référent Maladies Rares Neuromusculaires- Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Lyon, France.
Background:
The Motor Function Measure (MFM) is an important evaluation tool used to monitor the progression of most neuromuscular diseases. However, the MFM is subject to inter-rater variability, and patients must produce their best effort, which can be difficult for children. In response to these issues, we developed a digital app named MFM-Play, designed to optimise completion of the MFM in a fun manner. The objective of this study was to explore barriers and levers to the MFM-Play's use by therapists.
Method:
We conducted a qualitative study with rehabilitation professionals who had tested the app in a previous reliability study. Individual interviews based on the Technology Acceptance Model were followed by a focus group based on the interview results. Thematic analysis was performed on transcripts.
Results:
Seven therapists participated in the interviews and seven others in the focus group. The results revealed the multi-dimensional features related to adopting the MFM-Play app. Barriers related to ease of use, training and organisational constraints were identified, and were partly due to the additional mental burden of learning to use the technology. However, therapists who were at ease with the digital tool found it useful for their practice. The app also modified patient-therapist dynamics, fostering greater patient autonomy, but sometimes disrupted therapists' habits, by calling into question assessment methods.
Conclusion:
The MFM-Play app offers considerable practical and efficiency benefits; however, its successful adoption depends on overcoming technical, organisational, and user-specific barriers. This involves providing support for the change in the therapist's stance within the triadic patient-therapist-tablet relationship.
Insights
The MFM-Play app aids neuromuscular disease assessment, but adoption requires overcoming technical and organizational challenges. Therapists find it useful when comfortable with the technology, improving patient engagement.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Digital Health
Background:
- The Motor Function Measure (MFM) is crucial for tracking neuromuscular disease progression.
- Challenges include inter-rater variability and difficulties with pediatric patient engagement.
- MFM-Play is a digital app designed to enhance MFM completion in a child-friendly way.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify barriers and facilitators for therapists using the MFM-Play app.
- To understand the factors influencing the adoption of digital health tools in clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving rehabilitation therapists.
- Semi-structured interviews guided by the Technology Acceptance Model.
- Focus group discussions informed by interview findings.
- Thematic analysis of interview and focus group transcripts.
Main Results:
- Identified barriers: ease of use, training needs, organizational constraints, and technology-related mental burden.
- Facilitators: therapists comfortable with digital tools found MFM-Play beneficial.
- Impact: altered patient-therapist dynamics, increased patient autonomy, and challenged traditional assessment methods.
Conclusions:
- MFM-Play offers practical and efficiency advantages for neuromuscular disease assessment.
- Successful implementation hinges on addressing technical, organizational, and user-specific barriers.
- Support is needed for therapists navigating the new patient-therapist-tablet dynamic.
