The Facilitators and Barriers to Digital Health for Managing Nutrition in People With Parkinson's Disease and Their Caregivers: A Formative, Qualitative Study

Abstract

ObjectiveIdentify techniques to assist in designing digital health platforms for nutrition services for people with Parkinson's disease and caregivers to improve their quality of life. DesignSemistructured, dyadic interviews with 20 dyads (20 people with Parkinson's disease and 20 caregivers). SettingHome visits were conducted in the northeast US. ParticipantsPeople with Parkinson's disease and their caregivers were recruited via email, flyers, news articles and announcements at support groups. Phenomenon of InterestIdentification of facilitators and barriers to using digital health platforms to inform future digital nutrition services. AnalysisInterviews were recorded, transcribed and double-coded using a framework analysis method. ResultsReported digital health platforms utilization facilitators were: knowledge acquisition, convenience, intention to use, socializing, enjoyment, and forced adoption. Barriers included: negative feelings toward technology, lack of access or knowledge, disinterest, product design, frustration and functional reliability, and applying health information. Conclusions and ImplicationsAlthough dyads often lack knowledge on both how to use technology and nutrition, they are willing to use digital health platforms to increase their nutrition knowledge if platforms are convenient. Based on the identified facilitators and barriers, the added benefits of access and training nutrition digital health platforms must be clearly communicated to end-users to improve their quality of life.