Abstract
Aim: To evaluate patient experience and identify if there are barriers to using a mobile health (mHealth) exercise application (app) in musculoskeletal (MSK) Physiotherapy
Methods: An online patient experience survey was sent to 10,287 MSK Physiotherapy patients who had appointments between January 17th and April 9th, 2022. The survey was open for 25 days, with a reminder sent after 14 days.
Results: The survey received 1,447 responses (response rate: 14.07%), with 954 (65.93%) respondents previously provided the mHealth exercise app (PhysiApp). Most participants used PhysiApp (83.06%), found PhysiApp easy to use (82.20%) and had positive perceptions on how PhysiApp added value to their Physiotherapy treatment through its functionality (increased motivation, supported exercise adherence, helped achievement of treatment goals and reduced hospital visits). However, qualitative feedback revealed negative impacts on patient-centred care and practical demonstration of exercises. Key barriers to PhysiApp use included suboptimal explanation, digital exclusion, registration/ login issues and opinion that PhysiApp was superfluous to Physiotherapy treatment. These differed to the main barriers of why participants stopped using/ used PhysiApp less; if they were confident exercising without it, their condition improved/ resolved, loss of motivation, their exercise programme ended or if they found their exercise programme was unsuitable.
Conclusion: Despite multiple interdependent factors influencing patient experience and barriers of using PhysiApp, the survey results revealed the significant influence that is exerted by MSK Physiotherapists. The patient-physiotherapist interaction can positively or negatively impact upon many barriers of use and the subsequent potential added value of PhysiApp to MSK Physiotherapy treatment. Future qualitative research on patient experience and barriers to using mHealth exercise apps in MSK Physiotherapy, with a possible focus on those who are at greatest risk of digital exclusion and health inequalities, is recommended.
Methods: An online patient experience survey was sent to 10,287 MSK Physiotherapy patients who had appointments between January 17th and April 9th, 2022. The survey was open for 25 days, with a reminder sent after 14 days.
Results: The survey received 1,447 responses (response rate: 14.07%), with 954 (65.93%) respondents previously provided the mHealth exercise app (PhysiApp). Most participants used PhysiApp (83.06%), found PhysiApp easy to use (82.20%) and had positive perceptions on how PhysiApp added value to their Physiotherapy treatment through its functionality (increased motivation, supported exercise adherence, helped achievement of treatment goals and reduced hospital visits). However, qualitative feedback revealed negative impacts on patient-centred care and practical demonstration of exercises. Key barriers to PhysiApp use included suboptimal explanation, digital exclusion, registration/ login issues and opinion that PhysiApp was superfluous to Physiotherapy treatment. These differed to the main barriers of why participants stopped using/ used PhysiApp less; if they were confident exercising without it, their condition improved/ resolved, loss of motivation, their exercise programme ended or if they found their exercise programme was unsuitable.
Conclusion: Despite multiple interdependent factors influencing patient experience and barriers of using PhysiApp, the survey results revealed the significant influence that is exerted by MSK Physiotherapists. The patient-physiotherapist interaction can positively or negatively impact upon many barriers of use and the subsequent potential added value of PhysiApp to MSK Physiotherapy treatment. Future qualitative research on patient experience and barriers to using mHealth exercise apps in MSK Physiotherapy, with a possible focus on those who are at greatest risk of digital exclusion and health inequalities, is recommended.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 6 Jul 2024 |
| Event | IFOMPT 2024 (International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists), Basel: The world conference of musculoskeletal and manual physical therapy. - Basel, Switzerland Duration: 4 Jul 2024 → 6 Jul 2024 Conference number: 50 https://www.ifomptbasel2024.org/frontend/index.php |
Conference
| Conference | IFOMPT 2024 (International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists), Basel |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | IFOMPT 2024 |
| Country/Territory | Switzerland |
| City | Basel |
| Period | 4/07/24 → 6/07/24 |
| Other | The main theme for the IFOMPT 2024 conference is "crossing bridges" - Crossing bridges between research, clinical practice, education, patient's perspectives and the needs of society. The many challenges and changes that musculoskeletal and manual physical therapy are facing require critical reflection on the future from different perspecives. The conference will be a key event to discuss, advocate and share. But we will also dedicate ourselves to celebrating and making IFOMPT's 50th anniversary a very special one. |
| Internet address |