Wearable technologies in osteoarthritis: a qualitative study of clinicians' preferences

Abstract

Objective: This study investigates clinicians' views of health-related wearable technologies in the context of supporting osteoarthritis (OA) long-term management. Clinicians' preferences are critical in identifying realistic implementation strategies for such technologies.

Design: Qualitative study incorporating an inductive thematic analysis applied to identify key themes from clinicians' responses.

Participants: Clinicians, including 4 general practitioners, 4 physiotherapists and 5 orthopaedic surgeons were interviewed.

Setting: The study was conducted in a University setting.

Results: Participants all agreed wearable technologies could positively complement their role and enhance their relationship with patients. Perceived benefits of wearable technologies included monitoring patients' progress, treatment evaluation, monitoring compliance and informing clinical decision-making. The device should be designed to provide objective data of patients' locomotion capability in an easy and timely fashion via a simple interface. Data should be available to both clinicians and patients to provide them with the motivation to achieve clinical goals and allow them to take ownership of their treatment. The use of technology was also seen as a way to more effectively plan treatment and manage patients' contact time saving time and cost.

Conclusions: Findings support the use of wearable technologies to enhance current OA management and suggest clinical uses. Adoption of technologies could have implications on the effectiveness of treatment provided overcoming current barriers, in particular compliance with treatment.

Keywords: Osteoarthritis; Rehabilitation; clinicians; interviews; wearable technology.