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Acceptability and feasibility of co-designed hybrid tele-physiotherapy for children with difficult asthma: a
Charlotte Wells1,2, Jane L Cross3, Sejal Saglani1,4
1Department of Respiratory Paediatrics, The Royal Brompton Hospital part of Guy's and ST Thomas's NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Insights
Co-designed hybrid physiotherapy and digital resources are acceptable for children with asthma and breathing pattern disorders. While flexible and accessible, optimizing hybrid care requires addressing technical issues and virtual session attendance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
- Digital Health Interventions
- Healthcare Delivery Models
Background:
- Poor asthma control in children is often linked to breathing pattern disorders (BrPD).
- Co-designed hybrid physiotherapy services and digital resources aim to improve care for pediatric asthma patients with BrPD.
- These interventions target symptoms and enhance quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of co-designed online resources.
- To assess a digital platform and hybrid physiotherapy services for children and young people (CYP) with asthma and BrPD.
Main Methods:
- A prospective mixed-methods study involving CYP and their carers from a severe asthma clinic.
- Participants engaged in hybrid physiotherapy (virtual and in-person), online resources (hospital website, Beam Asthma Kids), and live group classes over 12 weeks.
- Acceptability was measured via questionnaires, feedback, and diaries; feasibility was tracked through attendance and website analytics.
Main Results:
- Twenty-five CYP (aged 7-16) completed the program with no adverse events.
- High acceptability of co-designed digital resources (Beam Asthma Kids platform) and hybrid services was reported, valuing usability, accessibility, and flexibility.
- Implementation challenges included hospital webpage navigation, technical issues, and digital inclusion; virtual session non-attendance (42%) was higher than in-person (20%).
Conclusions:
- Co-designed hybrid physiotherapy resources and services are acceptable and well-received by CYP with asthma and BrPD.
- Hybrid physiotherapy offers potential for improved flexibility and access in pediatric asthma care.
- Addressing technical challenges and virtual non-attendance is crucial for optimizing the implementation of hybrid care models.
Abstract:
Respiratory physiotherapists address causes of poor asthma control, including breathing pattern disorders (BrPDs) affecting symptoms and quality-of-life. Co-designed hybrid physiotherapy services and digital resources have been created for children and young people (CYP) with asthma and BrPD. The aim of the study was to assess acceptability and feasibility of co-designed online resources, a digital platform, and hybrid physiotherapy services for CYP with asthma and BrPD.
Methods:
Prospective mixed-methods study recruited CYP and carers from a severe asthma clinic. Participants accessed hybrid physiotherapy clinics (Attend Anywhere), online resources (hospital website, Beam Asthma Kids platform), and live group classes over 12 weeks. Acceptability was assessed using questionnaires, feedback, and physiotherapist diaries; feasibility through attendance and website analytics.
Results:
Twenty-five CYP aged 7-16 years participated; all completed the program with no intervention-related adverse events. Eighteen (72%) created Beam Asthma Kids profiles to access live classes, videos, or programs. Hospital website videos received 296 views from 68 viewers over six-months. Feedback demonstrated high acceptability of the co-designed digital resources. Participants valued usability, accessibility, and flexibility of the Beam Asthma Kids and hybrid services, while identifying hospital webpage navigation, technical issues, and digital inclusion as implementation considerations. Across 32 clinics, 94 consultations occurred (27 in-hospital, 67 virtual); non-attendance was higher for virtual sessions (42% vs. 20%).
Conclusions:
Co-designed physiotherapy resources and hybrid services were acceptable and positively received by CYP with asthma and BrPD. Hybrid physiotherapy may complement care by improving flexibility and access, but technical challenges and virtual non-attendance require attention to optimize implementation.