Clohessy Sophie, Kempton Christian, Ryan Kate, Grinbergs Peter, Elliott Mark T
WMG, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom.
EQL Ltd, Lancashire, United Kingdom.
JMIR Aging. 2024 Aug 1;7:e55693. doi: 10.2196/55693.
Digital technologies can assist and optimize health care processes. This is increasingly the case in the musculoskeletal health domain, where digital platforms can be used to support the self-management of musculoskeletal conditions, as well as access to services. However, given a large proportion of the population with musculoskeletal conditions are older adults (aged ≥60 years), it is important to consider the acceptability of such platforms within this demographic.
This study aims to explore participants' opinions and perceptions on the use of digital platforms for supporting the self-management of musculoskeletal conditions within older adult (aged ≥60 years) populations and to gather their opinions on real examples.
A total of 2 focus groups (focus group 1: 6/15, 40%; focus group 2: 9/15, 60%) were conducted, in which participants answered questions about their thoughts on using digital health platforms to prevent or manage musculoskeletal conditions. Participants were further presented with 2 example scenarios, which were then discussed. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically. Participants were aged ≥60 years and with or without current musculoskeletal conditions. Prior experience of using smartphone apps or other digital health platforms for musculoskeletal conditions was not required. Focus groups took place virtually using the Teams (Microsoft Corp) platform.
A total of 6 themes were identified across both focus groups: "experiences of digital health platforms," "preference for human contact," "barriers to accessing clinical services," "individual differences and digital literacy," "trust in technology," and "features and benefits of digital health technologies." Each theme is discussed in detail based on the interview responses. The findings revealed that most participants had some existing experience with digital health platforms for preventing or managing musculoskeletal conditions. Overall, there was a lack of trust in and low expectations of quality for digital platforms for musculoskeletal health within this age group. While there was some concern about the use of digital platforms in place of in-person health consultations, several benefits were also identified.
Results highlighted the need for better communication on the benefits of using digital platforms to support the self-management of musculoskeletal conditions, without the platforms replacing the role of the health care professionals. The concerns about which apps are of suitable quality and trustworthiness lead us to recommend raising public awareness around the role of organizations that verify and assess the quality of digital health platforms.
数字技术可以辅助并优化医疗保健流程。在肌肉骨骼健康领域，情况尤其如此，数字平台可用于支持肌肉骨骼疾病的自我管理以及服务获取。然而，鉴于很大一部分患有肌肉骨骼疾病的人群是老年人（年龄≥60岁），因此有必要考虑此类平台在这一人群中的可接受性。
本研究旨在探讨参与者对于使用数字平台支持老年人（年龄≥60岁）肌肉骨骼疾病自我管理的意见和看法，并收集他们对实际例子的意见。
总共进行了2个焦点小组（焦点小组1：6/15，40%；焦点小组2：9/15，60%），参与者回答了关于他们对使用数字健康平台预防或管理肌肉骨骼疾病的想法的问题。参与者还被展示了2个示例场景，随后进行了讨论。访谈进行了录音、转录并进行主题分析。参与者年龄≥60岁，有或没有当前的肌肉骨骼疾病。不要求有使用智能手机应用程序或其他数字健康平台管理肌肉骨骼疾病的既往经验。焦点小组通过Teams（微软公司）平台以虚拟方式进行。
两个焦点小组共确定了6个主题：“数字健康平台的体验”“对人际接触的偏好”“获取临床服务的障碍”“个体差异与数字素养”“对技术的信任”以及“数字健康技术的特点和益处”。每个主题都根据访谈回复进行了详细讨论。研究结果显示，大多数参与者在使用数字健康平台预防或管理肌肉骨骼疾病方面有一些现有经验。总体而言，这个年龄组对肌肉骨骼健康数字平台缺乏信任且对质量期望较低。虽然有人担心使用数字平台取代面对面的健康咨询，但也确定了一些益处。
结果强调了有必要更好地宣传使用数字平台支持肌肉骨骼疾病自我管理的益处，同时数字平台不能取代医疗保健专业人员的作用。对哪些应用程序质量合适且值得信赖的担忧促使我们建议提高公众对核实和评估数字健康平台质量的组织的作用的认识。
