1. Physiotherapists' experiences with a blended osteoarthritis intervention: a mixed methods study.
- Author
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Kloek CJJ PhD, PT, Bossen D PhD, PT, de Vries HJ MSc, PT, de Bakker DH PhD, Veenhof C PhD, PT, and Dekker J PhD
- Subjects
- Adult, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Surveys and Questionnaires, Exercise Therapy methods, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Osteoarthritis, Hip rehabilitation, Osteoarthritis, Knee rehabilitation, Physical Therapists, Telerehabilitation methods
- Abstract
Introduction: E-Exercise is an effective 12-week blended intervention consisting of around five face-to-face physiotherapy sessions and a web-based application for patients with hip/knee osteoarthritis. In order to facilitate effective implementation of e-Exercise, this study aims to identify physiotherapists' experiences and determinants related to the usage of e-Exercise. Methods : An explanatory sequential mixed methods design embedded in a randomized controlled trial comparing e-Exercise with usual physiotherapy in patients with hip/knee osteoarthritis. Usage of e-Exercise was based on recruitment rates of 123 physiotherapists allocated to e-Exercise and objective web-based application usage data. Experiences and determinants related to e-Exercise usage were investigated with a questionnaire and clarified with semi-structured interviews. Results : Of the 123 physiotherapists allocated to e-Exercise, 54 recruited more than one eligible patient, of whom 10 physiotherapists continued using e-Exercise after the study period. Physiotherapists had mixed experiences with e-Exercise. Determinants related to intervention usage were appropriateness, added value, time, workload, professional autonomy, environmental factors, and financial consequences. Physiotherapists recommended to improve the ability to tailor e-Exercise to the individual needs of the patient patients' individual needs. Discussion : Determinants related to the usage of e-Exercise provided valuable information for the implementation of e-Exercise on broader scale. Most importantly, the flexibility of e-Exercise needs to be improved. Next, there is a need for education on how to integrate an online program within physiotherapy.
- Published
- 2020
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