%0 Journal Article
%T Wearable technologies in osteoarthritis: a qualitative study of cliniciansĄŻ preferences
%A Alison H McGregor
%A Enrica Papi
%A Ged M Murtagh
%J -
%D 2016
%R 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009544
%X Objective This study investigates cliniciansĄŻ views of health-related wearable technologies in the context of supporting osteoarthritis (OA) long-term management. CliniciansĄŻ preferences are critical in identifying realistic implementation strategies for such technologies.

Design Qualitative study incorporating an inductive thematic analysis applied to identify key themes from cliniciansĄŻ responses.

Participants Clinicians, including 4 general practitioners, 4 physiotherapists and 5 orthopaedic surgeons were interviewed.

Setting The study was conducted in a University setting.

Results Participants all agreed wearable technologies could positively complement their role and enhance their relationship with patients. Perceived benefits of wearable technologies included monitoring patientsĄŻ progress, treatment evaluation, monitoring compliance and informing clinical decision-making. The device should be designed to provide objective data of patientsĄŻ locomotion capability in an easy and timely fashion via a simple interface. Data should be available to both clinicians and patients to provide them with the motivation to achieve clinical goals and allow them to take ownership of their treatment. The use of technology was also seen as a way to more effectively plan treatment and manage patientsĄŻ contact time saving time and cost.

Conclusions Findings support the use of wearable technologies to enhance current OA management and suggest clinical uses. Adoption of technologies could have implications on the effectiveness of treatment provided overcoming current barriers, in particular compliance with treatment
%U https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/6/1/e009544