Abstract
Background
Smartphone apps and wearable devices could augment clinical practice by detecting changes in health status for multiple sclerosis (MS). This study sought to investigate potential barriers and facilitators for uptake and sustained use in (i) people with both relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) and progressive MS (PMS) and (ii) across different countries.
Methods
Twenty four participants with MS took part in four focus groups held in three countries (2 in the UK, 1 in Spain, and 1 in Italy) to investigate potential barriers and facilitators for mHealth technology. A systematic thematic analysis was used to extract themes and sub-themes.
Results
Facilitators and barriers were organised into functional technology-related factors and non-functional health-related and user-related factors. Twelve themes captured all requirements across the three countries for both RRMS and PMS. Key requirements included accommodation for varying physical abilities, providing information and memory aids. Potential negative effects on mood and providing choice and control as part of overcoming practical challenges were identified.
Conclusions
We took a cross-national perspective and found many similarities between three European countries across people with RRMS and PMS. Future provision should accommodate the key requirements identified to engage people with MS in scalable mHealth interventions.
Smartphone apps and wearable devices could augment clinical practice by detecting changes in health status for multiple sclerosis (MS). This study sought to investigate potential barriers and facilitators for uptake and sustained use in (i) people with both relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) and progressive MS (PMS) and (ii) across different countries.
Methods
Twenty four participants with MS took part in four focus groups held in three countries (2 in the UK, 1 in Spain, and 1 in Italy) to investigate potential barriers and facilitators for mHealth technology. A systematic thematic analysis was used to extract themes and sub-themes.
Results
Facilitators and barriers were organised into functional technology-related factors and non-functional health-related and user-related factors. Twelve themes captured all requirements across the three countries for both RRMS and PMS. Key requirements included accommodation for varying physical abilities, providing information and memory aids. Potential negative effects on mood and providing choice and control as part of overcoming practical challenges were identified.
Conclusions
We took a cross-national perspective and found many similarities between three European countries across people with RRMS and PMS. Future provision should accommodate the key requirements identified to engage people with MS in scalable mHealth interventions.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 123-132 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders |
| Volume | 32 |
| Early online date | 16 Apr 2019 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jul 2019 |
Keywords
- Barriers and facilitators
- Engagement
- Mobile health
- Multiple sclerosis
- mHealth
