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Nuysink J.1, Nijmolen P.1, Meijer K.1, Slot R.2, Cremers A.2, Ravesteijn P.3, Veenhof C.1
1University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, Research Center for Innovation in Healthcare, Utrecht, Netherlands, 2University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, Research Center for Technology and Innovation, Utrecht, Netherlands, 3University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, Research Center for Innovation and Business, Utrecht, Netherlands
Background: For a good analysis of movement problems in infants at risk, it is important to monitor their gross motor development. Pediatric physical therapists (PPTs) use an observation instrument, the Alberta Infant Motor Scale. Recently, the GODIVA-research group designed a method, in which the development of an infant can be followed on the basis of videos made by parents. The method is complementary to existing observation methods, and could make the screening of infants more effective and transparent. For research with the video-method, a prototype application has been developed with which the video can be sent and stored securely. The prototype is not yet suitable for use in professional practice. However, PPT practices would like to use the application. To achieve a successful tool, it is important that it especially fits the needs and skills of the end-users, in this case PPTs and parents. To address this need, an interdisciplinary research project is set up, the Godivapp Applied in Pediatric Primary care (GoAPP) project. Within GoAPP five domains needed for innovation and implementation of e-health are brought together: end-users (both parents and PPTs), health care, information technology, user-interface design, and business perspective. The main purpose of the project is optimization of the Godivapp, suitable for PPT practice, with appropriate implementation strategies and business modeling. The project consists of several phases, the first phase was context analysis among the end-users.
Purpose: Identification of the needs of users of an e-health application for monitoring motor development by means of video.
Methods: Researchers from health care, information technology, co-design, and business administration formed a consortium together with 10 PPT practices. In design-oriented research, research meetings, focus groups, expert interviews and questionnaires were used. Topics of the focus group were: why and for which they would like to use the Godivapp; which functionalities are really necessary, and which are desired; what are the business benefits and bottlenecks. Subsequently, a context analysis will be done with the parents.
Results: The PPTs see application options of video for consultation, screening, scoring, monitoring and guidance of parents. Requirements like use in multiple devices, secure sending and storage, slow motion, feedback opportunities, connection with electronic patient records, and options of graphical representation over time are needed. They expect the app to be a valuable extension of their opportunities and a chance to innovate their practice. However, as independent entrepreneurs, they also perceive barriers such as IT support and an appropriate fee for a video consultation.
Conclusion(s): There is a strong need for the use of video in diagnostics and intervention. For relatively small organizations like PPT practices, affordability, ease of use play a crucial role in adopting new e-health applications. Next step is to develop, in co-creation with the users, an attractive and useful system, and subsequently appropriate implementation strategies.
Implications: This open innovation is characterized by an iterative and cyclic process in co-creation with professional practice. Education and research will benefit too from the unique cooperation between four research domains, in which researchers, teachers, professionals, parents and students learn from each other.
Funding acknowledgements: SIA-RAAK-sme (GoAPP 2016-2018). Taskforce for applied research-SIA is part of The Netherlands organization for scientific research (NWO).
Topic: Paediatrics
Ethics approval: Ethic approval was not required
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
