Therapists perspectives on the use of sensor monitoring in hip rehabilitation

Background: Shared decision making is advocated as an optimal model for therapy with clients with chronic conditions. To reach this shared decision making clients and therapist need to access information about the current... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Shared decision making is advocated as an optimal model for therapy with clients with chronic conditions. To reach this shared decision making clients and therapist need to access information about the current level of functioning. Since current developments in healthcare reduce the time spent in the rehabilitation center. Sensor monitoring is often discussed to provide this information and could provide a platform to discuss treatment goals. Although research has shown that clients report the use of sensor monitoring as beneficial. Studies done on the therapist perspective are sparse.

Method:
Therapist working with clients who are recovering from hip surgery are were recruited to participate in focus-group and in-depth individual interviews to get insight in the expectations and demands therapist had on the use of sensor monitoring. The meetings comprised two general themes. How they currently work with clients and how one could benefit from the use of technology was discussed in the first meeting. The second meeting therapist were shown some examples of information generated by the use of sensor data and implications for practice were discussed.

Results:
From analysis of the data one general theme came forward. Therapist reflect strongly on the need for the information provided by technology to be useful , otherwise they are less motivated to use this new technology. This usefulness was constructed around five themes: Getting insight, rehabilitation choices, supporting success. Fear of falling, no fuzz.

Conclusion:
Sensor monitoring could be beneficial when it supports therapist to get information about the five themes