Understanding Patient and Physiotherapist Requirements for a Personalized Automated Smartphone Telemonitored App for Posttotal Knee Arthroplasty Rehabilitation: Qualitative Study
Abstract BackgroundTotal knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a cost-effective surgical intervention for painful knee osteoarthritis in older adults, but postsurgery rehabilitation access is limited. Telerehabilitation offers a solution, but existing models require significant therapist...
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| Format: | Article |
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JMIR Publications
2025-04-01
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| Series: | JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies |
| Online Access: | https://rehab.jmir.org/2025/1/e59688 |
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| author | Eleanor Shuxian Chew Aileen Eugenia Scully Samanth Shi-Man Koh Ee-Lin Woon Juanita Krysten Miao-Shi Low Yu-Heng Kwan John Wei-Ming Tan Yong-Hao Pua Celia Ia-Choo Tan Luke Jonathan Haseler |
| author_facet | Eleanor Shuxian Chew Aileen Eugenia Scully Samanth Shi-Man Koh Ee-Lin Woon Juanita Krysten Miao-Shi Low Yu-Heng Kwan John Wei-Ming Tan Yong-Hao Pua Celia Ia-Choo Tan Luke Jonathan Haseler |
| author_sort | Eleanor Shuxian Chew |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Abstract
BackgroundTotal knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a cost-effective surgical intervention for painful knee osteoarthritis in older adults, but postsurgery rehabilitation access is limited. Telerehabilitation offers a solution, but existing models require significant therapist involvement and a costly setup. A personalized smartphone-based automated program could be a cost-effective alternative.
ObjectiveThis study aimed to understand the requirements of both patients and physiotherapists in developing an automated telemonitored rehabilitation smartphone app for individuals undergoing TKA. To ensure uptake and long-term sustainability, this study adopted a person-based approach.
MethodsA multistakeholder qualitative study of user needs was conducted. Physiotherapists and patients who underwent TKA were recruited via purposive sampling. Individual in-depth, hour-long interviews were conducted via Zoom by an experienced, trained female interviewer with a Master of Arts in Sociology. Data were audio-recorded and transcribed by the same interviewer. Two reviewers (ESC and SSK) independently analyzed the data using thematic analysis, with data triangulation achieved through cross-checking of data sources by 3 reviewers (ESC, SSK, and AES). Interviews were conducted to data saturation.
ResultsSix patients and 4 physiotherapists participated. For the patient interface, patients emphasized ease of use and specified features like a search function and multilingual options. For the physiotherapist interface, physiotherapists stated ease of accessing patient data and outcome measures for effective monitoring as important. Both patients and physiotherapists highlighted the need for timely, condition-specific information, supplemented by visual aids to support exercises, pain management, and recovery goals. They also stressed the significance of progress tracking, feedback, and the ability to access health care professionals for reassurance. Motivational features, including reminders, prompts, and exercise logs, were recommended to improve adherence. Both groups similarly identified the need for initial training to ensure confident use of the app.
ConclusionThis study provided insights into the requirements of potential end users of a smartphone app for automated telemonitored rehabilitation following TKA. This is useful for steering the development of a user-centric smartphone app. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a618b002f6d04fe98f19da9ffcf37342 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2369-2529 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies |
| spelling | doaj-art-a618b002f6d04fe98f19da9ffcf373422025-08-20T03:18:24ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies2369-25292025-04-0112e59688e5968810.2196/59688Understanding Patient and Physiotherapist Requirements for a Personalized Automated Smartphone Telemonitored App for Posttotal Knee Arthroplasty Rehabilitation: Qualitative StudyEleanor Shuxian Chewhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-8801-5041Aileen Eugenia Scullyhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-4578-2048Samanth Shi-Man Kohhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-1218-7736Ee-Lin Woonhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-9927-1569Juanita Krysten Miao-Shi Lowhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-7204-8025Yu-Heng Kwanhttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-7802-9696John Wei-Ming Tanhttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-1838-0868Yong-Hao Puahttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-2313-9665Celia Ia-Choo Tanhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-3886-8222Luke Jonathan Haselerhttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-1607-4402 Abstract BackgroundTotal knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a cost-effective surgical intervention for painful knee osteoarthritis in older adults, but postsurgery rehabilitation access is limited. Telerehabilitation offers a solution, but existing models require significant therapist involvement and a costly setup. A personalized smartphone-based automated program could be a cost-effective alternative. ObjectiveThis study aimed to understand the requirements of both patients and physiotherapists in developing an automated telemonitored rehabilitation smartphone app for individuals undergoing TKA. To ensure uptake and long-term sustainability, this study adopted a person-based approach. MethodsA multistakeholder qualitative study of user needs was conducted. Physiotherapists and patients who underwent TKA were recruited via purposive sampling. Individual in-depth, hour-long interviews were conducted via Zoom by an experienced, trained female interviewer with a Master of Arts in Sociology. Data were audio-recorded and transcribed by the same interviewer. Two reviewers (ESC and SSK) independently analyzed the data using thematic analysis, with data triangulation achieved through cross-checking of data sources by 3 reviewers (ESC, SSK, and AES). Interviews were conducted to data saturation. ResultsSix patients and 4 physiotherapists participated. For the patient interface, patients emphasized ease of use and specified features like a search function and multilingual options. For the physiotherapist interface, physiotherapists stated ease of accessing patient data and outcome measures for effective monitoring as important. Both patients and physiotherapists highlighted the need for timely, condition-specific information, supplemented by visual aids to support exercises, pain management, and recovery goals. They also stressed the significance of progress tracking, feedback, and the ability to access health care professionals for reassurance. Motivational features, including reminders, prompts, and exercise logs, were recommended to improve adherence. Both groups similarly identified the need for initial training to ensure confident use of the app. ConclusionThis study provided insights into the requirements of potential end users of a smartphone app for automated telemonitored rehabilitation following TKA. This is useful for steering the development of a user-centric smartphone app.https://rehab.jmir.org/2025/1/e59688 |
| spellingShingle | Eleanor Shuxian Chew Aileen Eugenia Scully Samanth Shi-Man Koh Ee-Lin Woon Juanita Krysten Miao-Shi Low Yu-Heng Kwan John Wei-Ming Tan Yong-Hao Pua Celia Ia-Choo Tan Luke Jonathan Haseler Understanding Patient and Physiotherapist Requirements for a Personalized Automated Smartphone Telemonitored App for Posttotal Knee Arthroplasty Rehabilitation: Qualitative Study JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies |
| title | Understanding Patient and Physiotherapist Requirements for a Personalized Automated Smartphone Telemonitored App for Posttotal Knee Arthroplasty Rehabilitation: Qualitative Study |
| title_full | Understanding Patient and Physiotherapist Requirements for a Personalized Automated Smartphone Telemonitored App for Posttotal Knee Arthroplasty Rehabilitation: Qualitative Study |
| title_fullStr | Understanding Patient and Physiotherapist Requirements for a Personalized Automated Smartphone Telemonitored App for Posttotal Knee Arthroplasty Rehabilitation: Qualitative Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding Patient and Physiotherapist Requirements for a Personalized Automated Smartphone Telemonitored App for Posttotal Knee Arthroplasty Rehabilitation: Qualitative Study |
| title_short | Understanding Patient and Physiotherapist Requirements for a Personalized Automated Smartphone Telemonitored App for Posttotal Knee Arthroplasty Rehabilitation: Qualitative Study |
| title_sort | understanding patient and physiotherapist requirements for a personalized automated smartphone telemonitored app for posttotal knee arthroplasty rehabilitation qualitative study |
| url | https://rehab.jmir.org/2025/1/e59688 |
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