King's College London, London, UK.
Imperial College London, London, UK.
BMJ Open. 2022 Mar 16;12(3):e050288. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050288.
The aim of this study was to elicit the views of relevant stakeholders on the design of a device using simulated affective touch to reduce procedural anxiety surrounding radiotherapy and imaging.
This qualitative study collected data from focus groups which were then analysed using inductive thematic analysis in line with Braun and Clarke's methods.
Twenty patients and carers were recruited, as well as 10 healthcare practitioners involved in either delivering radiotherapy or imaging procedures.
Patients, carers and healthcare practitioners agreed on some aspects of the device design, such as ensuring the device is warm and flexible in where it can be used on the body. However, patient and healthcare practitioner cohorts had at times differing viewpoints. For example, healthcare practitioners provided professional perspectives and required easy cleaning of the device. Meanwhile patients focused on anxiety-relieving factors, such as the tactile sensation of the device being either a vibration or pulsation. There was no consensus on who should control the device.
The desired features of a simulated affective touch device have been investigated. Different priorities of patients and their carers and healthcare practitioners were evident. Any design must incorporate such features as to appease both groups. Areas where no consensus was reached could be further explored, alongside including further patient and public involvement in the form of a project advisory group.
本研究旨在征求相关利益攸关方对使用模拟情感触觉设备的设计意见，以减少围绕放射治疗和成像的程序焦虑。
这项定性研究从焦点小组收集数据，然后按照 Braun 和 Clarke 的方法进行归纳主题分析。
招募了 20 名患者及其照顾者，以及 10 名参与放射治疗或成像程序的医疗保健从业者。
患者、照顾者和医疗保健从业者在设备设计的某些方面达成了一致，例如确保设备在身体上使用时温暖且灵活。然而，患者和医疗保健从业者群体有时观点不同。例如，医疗保健从业者提供专业视角，并要求设备易于清洁。而患者则关注缓解焦虑的因素，例如设备的触觉是振动还是脉冲。对于应由谁来控制设备，没有达成共识。
已经研究了模拟情感触觉设备的期望特征。患者及其照顾者和医疗保健从业者的优先级不同。任何设计都必须包含这些功能，以满足这两个群体的需求。对于没有达成共识的领域，可以进一步探索，并通过项目咨询小组的形式进一步纳入患者和公众的参与。
