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Boonzaaijer M.1,2,3, van Wesel F.2, Nuysink J.1, Volman M.3, Jongmans M.3
1HU University of Applied Sciences, Research Group Lifestyle and Health, Institute of Human Movement Studies, Utrecht, Netherlands, 2Utrecht University, Department of Methodology & Statistics, Utrecht, Netherlands, 3Utrecht University, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Pedagogical and Educational Sciences,, Utrecht, Netherlands
Background: The current widespread use of smartphone-camera's, allows for home-video assessment to monitor infants at risk. We are developing a home-video method for parents, enabling Pediatric Physical Therapists (PPT) to assess an infant's gross motor development with the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS). In a longitudinal pilot study, parents were instructed to make 5 home-videos over a 9-month-period and upload them to a secure server (web portal). After each assessment, parents received feedback on their infant's motor development by email or telephone. The possibility for parents to record their infant's motor behavior at home and choose a suitable time for their infant, are tempting aspects of this e-health application. Exploring the active role of parents, being important stakeholders, was a main objective of this pilot study.
Purpose: To identify facilitators and barriers of this home-video method for parents of typically developing infants.
Methods: Forty-six Dutch parents of typically developing infants (0-19 months) participated in this longitudinal study on gross motor trajectories. A sequential mixed methods design including questionnaires (n= 46) and semi-structured interviews (n= 8), using a nested sample, was chosen. Whereas the questionnaires consisted of items on the practical feasibility of the home-video method, the interviews left room for the general experiences and individual contributions of parents. The five-point Likert scale answered questionnaires were analyzed with IBM SPSS 20. The interviews were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach.
Results: Overall, the results demonstrated that the parent-reported effort for the infants was very low, as the home-video method is alike the normal routine of playing. The effort reported by parents themselves was higher but still acceptable. The main barrier parents reported was time planning. It was sometimes difficult to realize a moment that both parents were at home and their baby was in the proper state at the same time. Technical problems with the web portal which made uploading time consuming, were also experienced as a barrier.
Facilitators involved (1) parents thought the home-videos to be valuable for family-use, (2) they liked receiving feedback from a professional, and (3) parents reported it was fun to interact with their baby in a different way and to have a moment of 1-on-1-attention. Moreover, the instructions and recording the home-video resulted in an increased parental awareness of, and insight in the gross motor development of their infant.
Conclusion(s): Although, this study contains a relatively small sample of parents with healthy infants, we gained sufficient insight in the main facilitators and barriers of the home-video method. Most barriers have a practical nature which can be addressed in future applications. Next step is to explore this method for parents of infants at risk.
Implications: The home-video method has the potential to become a valuable e-health addition for both research and PPT-practice monitoring infants at risk. Furthermore, the method might become a tool to empower parents who have an infant at risk for developmental delay. The active parental involvement can lead to a better understanding of the infants development and therefore improve shared decision-making between parents and professionals.
Funding acknowledgements: SIA-RAAK-public (GODIVA 2013-2016). Taskforce for applied research-SIA is part of The Netherlands organization for scientific research (NWO).
Topic: Professional issues
Ethics approval: The study was approved by the Medical Ethical Board METC/ UMCU Utrecht, The Netherlands nr.14-399/C and included informed consent procedure.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
