What is Important in E-health Interventions for Stroke Rehabilitation? A Survey Study among Patients, Informal Caregivers and Health Professionals.

Manon M Wentink,Thea P.M Vliet Vlieland,Jorit J L Meesters,Henk J Arwert,Berber Brouns,Arend J De Kloet,Leti Van Bodegom-Vos

doi:10.5195/ijt.2018.6247

Abstract

Incorporating user requirements in the design of e-rehabilitation interventions facilitates their implementation. However, insight into requirements for e-rehabilitation after stroke is lacking. This study investigated which user requirements for stroke e-rehabilitation are important to stroke patients, informal caregivers, and health professionals. The methodology consisted of a survey study amongst stroke patients, informal caregivers, and health professionals (physicians, physical therapists and occupational therapists). The survey consisted of statements about requirements regarding accessibility, usability and content of a comprehensive stroke e-health intervention (4-point Likert scale, 1=unimportant/4=important). The mean with standard deviation was the metric used to determine the importance of requirements. Patients (N=125), informal caregivers (N=43), and health professionals (N=105) completed the survey. The mean score of user requirements regarding accessibility, usability and content for stroke e-rehabilitation was 3.1 for patients, 3.4 for informal caregivers and 3.4 for health professionals. Data showed that a large number of user requirements are important and should be incorporated into the design of stroke e-rehabilitation to facilitate their implementation.

Highlights

Incorporating user requirements in the design of e-rehabilitation interventions facilitates their implementation
This study aims to prioritize the requirements for stroke e-rehabilitation according to patients, informal caregivers, and health professionals
The aim of this study was to make an inventory and prioritize the requirements for stroke e-rehabilitation according to patients, informal caregivers, and health professionals

Summary

Introduction

Incorporating user requirements in the design of e-rehabilitation interventions facilitates their implementation. This study investigated which user requirements for stroke e-rehabilitation are important to stroke patients, informal caregivers, and health professionals. The methodology consisted of a survey study amongst stroke patients, informal caregivers, and health professionals (physicians, physical therapists and occupational therapists). The mean score of user requirements regarding accessibility, usability and content for stroke e-rehabilitation was 3.1 for patients, 3.4 for informal caregivers and 3.4 for health professionals. Data showed that a large number of user requirements are important and should be incorporated into the design of stroke e-rehabilitation to facilitate their implementation. Comprehensive rehabilitation is delivered by various health professionals from different disciplines (e.g., physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, psychologists, and social workers), with therapy aimed at individual treatment goals involving the patient and his or her informal caregiver (Winstein et al 2016). End user input in the design and development of ehealth technologies (i.e., user-centered design approach) is a way to overcome such barriers (Goldstein et al, 2014; Pagliari 2007; Ross et al, 2016; van Gemert-Pijnen et al, 2011)

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