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. 2024 Jan 5:11:e44619.
doi: 10.2196/44619.

Acceptance and User Experiences of a Wearable Device for the Management of Hospitalized Patients in COVID-19-Designated Wards in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Action Learning Project

An Phuoc Luu  1 , Truong Thanh Nguyen  2 , Van Thi Cam Cao  2 , Trinh Hoang Diem Ha  2 , Lien Thi Thu Chung  2 , Trung Ngoc Truong  2 , Tung Nguyen Le Nhu  2 , Khoa Bach Dao  2 , Hao Van Nguyen  2 , Phan Nguyen Quoc Khanh  1 , Khanh Thuy Thuy Le  1 , Luu Hoai Bao Tran  1 , Phung Tran Huy Nhat  1 , Duc Minh Tran  1 , Yen Minh Lam  1 , Catherine Louise Thwaites  1   3 , Jacob Mcknight  3 , Nguyen Van Vinh Chau  1   2 , Jennifer Ilo Van Nuil  1   3 ; Vietnam ICU Translational Applications Laboratory (VITAL)  4
Collaborators, Affiliations

Acceptance and User Experiences of a Wearable Device for the Management of Hospitalized Patients in COVID-19-Designated Wards in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Action Learning Project

An Phuoc Luu et al. JMIR Hum Factors. .

Abstract

Background: Wearable devices have been used extensively both inside and outside of the hospital setting. During the COVID-19 pandemic, in some contexts, there was an increased need to remotely monitor pulse and saturated oxygen for patients due to the lack of staff and bedside monitors.

Objective: A prototype of a remote monitoring system using wearable pulse oximeter devices was implemented at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from August to December 2021. The aim of this work was to support the ongoing implementation of the remote monitoring system.

Methods: We used an action learning approach with rapid pragmatic methods, including informal discussions and observations as well as a feedback survey form designed based on the technology acceptance model to assess the use and acceptability of the system. Based on these results, we facilitated a meeting using user-centered design principles to explore user needs and ideas about its development in more detail.

Results: In total, 21 users filled in the feedback form. The mean technology acceptance model scores ranged from 3.5 (for perceived ease of use) to 4.4 (for attitude) with behavioral intention (3.8) and perceived usefulness (4.2) scoring in between. Those working as nurses scored higher on perceived usefulness, attitude, and behavioral intention than did physicians. Based on informal discussions, we realized there was a mismatch between how we (ie, the research team) and the ward teams perceived the use and wider purpose of the technology.

Conclusions: Designing and implementing the devices to be more nurse-centric from their introduction could have helped to increase their efficiency and use during the complex pandemic period.

Keywords: COVID-19; TAM; action learning; oximeter; remote monitoring; technology acceptance; technology acceptance model; user-centered design; vital signs; wearable devices; wearables.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: None declared.

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