Development of a Web-Based Monitoring System for Power Tilt-in-Space Wheelchairs: Formative Evaluation (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND A power tilt-in-space wheelchair meets many clinical purposes, including pressure management, increased postural control, and pain management. However, there is a significant gap between the use of tilt as recommended by clinicians and its actual usage. A Web-based electronic health (eHealth) intervention, including a goal setting, monitoring, reminder, and feedback system of the use of power tilt-in-space wheelchairs was developed. The intervention incorporates behavior change principles to promote optimal use of tilt and to improve clinical postprocurement follow-up. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to conduct a formative evaluation of the intervention prototype to pinpoint the functionalities needed by end users, namely, power wheelchair users and clinicians. METHODS On the basis of an evaluation framework for Web-based eHealth interventions, semistructured interviews were conducted with power wheelchair users and clinicians. A content analysis was performed with a mix of emerging and a priori concepts. RESULTS A total of 5 users of power tilt-in-space wheelchairs and 5 clinicians who had experience in the field of mobility aids aged 23 to 55 years were recruited. Participants found the Web interface and the physical components easy to use. They also appreciated the reminder feature that encourages the use of the tilt-in-space and the customization of performance goals. Participants requested improvements to the visual design and learnability of the Web interface, the customization of reminders, feedback about specific tilt parameters, and the bidirectionality of the interaction between the user and the clinician. They thought the current version of the intervention prototype could promote optimal use of the tilt and improve clinical postprocurement follow-up. CONCLUSIONS On the basis of the needs identified by power wheelchair users and clinicians regarding the prototype of a power tilt-in-space wheelchair monitoring system, 3 main directions were defined for future development of the intervention. Further research with new wheelchair users, manual tilt-in-space wheelchairs, various age groups, and family caregivers is recommended to continue the formative evaluation of the prototype.

Development and evaluation of an eHealth self-management intervention for chronic kidney disease patients in China: protocol for a mixed-method hybrid type 2 trial

“…To this end, we will use the 'think aloud' method [45], in which care providers and patients can speak aloud any words in their mind as they read through parts of the intervention plan. The think-aloud research method has been demonstrated to provide valid data on participant thinking and was successfully used in other intervention development studies [46,47]. Based on the results obtained, further modifications will be made, resulting in a pre-tested version of the intervention plan ready for implementation in practice.…”