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Patient and Staff Insights on Digital Care Pathways for Patients With Low Back Pain in the Emergency Department: A Qualitative Study.
Bell, Emily C; Heng, Hazel; Alousis, Nicole; King, Matthew G; Hahne, Andrew; Collins, Thomas; See, Katharine; Webster, Tracey; O'Dowd, Elisha; Jackson, Paul; Semciw, Adam I.
Affiliation
  • Bell EC; Discipline of Physiotherapy, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia.
  • Heng H; Department of Allied Health, Northern Health, Epping, Australia.
  • Alousis N; Discipline of Physiotherapy, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia.
  • King MG; Department of Allied Health, Northern Health, Epping, Australia.
  • Hahne A; Department of Allied Health, Northern Health, Epping, Australia.
  • Collins T; Discipline of Physiotherapy, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia.
  • See K; Discipline of Physiotherapy, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia.
  • Webster T; Department of Allied Health, Northern Health, Epping, Australia.
  • O'Dowd E; Digital Health Division, Clinical Leadership, Effectiveness & Outcomes, Northern Health, Epping, Australia.
  • Jackson P; Digital Health Division, Clinical Leadership, Effectiveness & Outcomes, Northern Health, Epping, Australia.
  • Semciw AI; Digital Health Division, Clinical Leadership, Effectiveness & Outcomes, Northern Health, Epping, Australia.
Health Expect ; 27(4): e14182, 2024 08.
Article in En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39152538
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Back pain is a huge global problem. For some people, the pain is so severe that they feel the need to present to an emergency department (ED). Our aim was to explore patient and staff perspectives for the development of a digital care pathway (DCP) for people with back pain who have presented to ED, including acceptability, barriers and facilitators.

METHODS:

We used a descriptive phenomenology approach using semi-structured interviews with patient and staff participants at a tertiary hospital. Interviews were transcribed and data codes were developed using inductive thematic analysis. Themes were discussed between researchers until consensus was achieved.

RESULTS:

A total of 16 interviews were carried out, half of which involved patient participants. We identified three major themes (i) expectations and experiences of staff and patients with low back pain in ED; (ii) a digital care pathway can empower patients and support clinicians in providing care; and (iii) acceptability, barriers, facilitators and recommendations of engaging with a DCP to track the trajectory of back pain. Each theme was further categorised into subthemes.

CONCLUSION:

Introducing a DCP was perceived as acceptable and beneficial by patients and staff. Both groups were aware of the potential participant burden if surveys were too long. Introducing a DCP could be a valuable adjunct to current management care models, providing a standardised source of education with the potential for individualised tracking and monitoring. The design and development of a DCP will need to consider reported facilitators and address perceived barriers for engagement. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION This project sought insights from patients and staff about a digital care pathway. This forms the first step of patient and consumer consultation before implementing a digital care pathway. All consumers were offered the opportunity to review their responses and our interpretation.
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Full text: 1 Collection: 01-internacional Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Interviews as Topic / Low Back Pain / Qualitative Research / Emergency Service, Hospital Limits: Adult / Aged / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged Language: En Journal: Health Expect Journal subject: PESQUISA EM SERVICOS DE SAUDE / SAUDE PUBLICA Year: 2024 Document type: Article Affiliation country: Australia Country of publication: Reino Unido

Full text: 1 Collection: 01-internacional Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Interviews as Topic / Low Back Pain / Qualitative Research / Emergency Service, Hospital Limits: Adult / Aged / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged Language: En Journal: Health Expect Journal subject: PESQUISA EM SERVICOS DE SAUDE / SAUDE PUBLICA Year: 2024 Document type: Article Affiliation country: Australia Country of publication: Reino Unido