Determining the Requirements for the Development and Implementation of Follow-up Software for Patients Discharged from intensive Care: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: Intensive care unit stays are associated with numerous complications. These complications can be reduced with timely and appropriate medical services. Mobile applications can provide these services without geographical limitations. Accordingly, the present study aimed to evaluate the statements by the intensive care staff and care team of intensive care survivors on the necessary functionality for designing a mobile-based system for monitoring and following up on patients discharged from intensive care. Methods: This prospective study involved interviews with specialists that provided care to patients after discharge (including nurses, physicians, physiotherapists, speech therapists, psychologists, and nutritionists). The first interviewees were selected from the specialists in Kerman, Iran and then, the selection of the participants proceeded with the snowball sampling method. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed based on content analysis. Codes were extracted and categorized into three levels of abstraction using MAXQDA software. Results: Four general categories emerged from the interview analysis: 1) Training, 2) Consultation, 3) Electronic health records (EHRs), and 4) Care team. The interviewees mentioned items such as nursing and physiotherapy training (training category), physician and psychological consultation (consultation category), nurses (care team category), and side reports (EHRs category). Conclusion: This study presented healthcare professionals’ opinions and statements regarding the requirements for developing a mobile-based intensive care follow-up system. User input is essential to design a scalable and efficient system. Provider input can create a system with all the necessary features. The results can be used to adjust insurance regulations, provide the necessary infrastructure, and train care teams.