How does mHealth influence consulting practice between health professionals and individuals with low back pain? A qualitative study from the perspective of health professionals

TY - JOUR

T1 - How does mHealth influence consulting practice between health professionals and individuals with low back pain?

T2 - A qualitative study from the perspective of health professionals

AU - Nørtoft, Mette

AU - Christiansen, Charlotte Ettrup

AU - Lund, Lea

AU - Sørensen, Dorthe

AU - Rossen, Camilla Blach

PY - 2024

Y1 - 2024

N2 - Purpose:This study explored how health professionals experience in what way a digital self-monitoring solution influences their consulting practice targeting individuals with low back pain. Material and Methods: This was a qualitative study adopting a constructivist grounded theory approach. Nineteen health professionals participated in the pilot test of the digital self-monitoring solution BackTrace. Data were collected cross-sectionally and consisted of: (a) audio recordings from focus groups with health professionals, (b) field notes from participant observation of online meetings with health professionals, (c) field notes from participant observations of consultations between health professionals and individuals with low back pain and (d) audio recordings from workshops with health professionals. Results: Two main themes and one sub-theme were identified, describing how BackTrace enabled more focused consulting practices, supported patient-self management and improved the relationship between individuals with low back pain and health professionals. Barriers were identified describing how the implementation of digital health solutions required a change in workflow, resources and culture - as well as management support. Conclusions: Findings indicated a need for a change at the system level, including a changed view of digitisation in healthcare systems containing a more supporting approach.

AB - Purpose:This study explored how health professionals experience in what way a digital self-monitoring solution influences their consulting practice targeting individuals with low back pain. Material and Methods: This was a qualitative study adopting a constructivist grounded theory approach. Nineteen health professionals participated in the pilot test of the digital self-monitoring solution BackTrace. Data were collected cross-sectionally and consisted of: (a) audio recordings from focus groups with health professionals, (b) field notes from participant observation of online meetings with health professionals, (c) field notes from participant observations of consultations between health professionals and individuals with low back pain and (d) audio recordings from workshops with health professionals. Results: Two main themes and one sub-theme were identified, describing how BackTrace enabled more focused consulting practices, supported patient-self management and improved the relationship between individuals with low back pain and health professionals. Barriers were identified describing how the implementation of digital health solutions required a change in workflow, resources and culture - as well as management support. Conclusions: Findings indicated a need for a change at the system level, including a changed view of digitisation in healthcare systems containing a more supporting approach.

KW - digital health

KW - low back pain

KW - rehabilitation

KW - selfmonitoring

KW - the fundamentals of care framework

KW - grounded theory

KW - Attitude of health personnel

KW - patient-professional relations

KW - self-management

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85173470197&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1080/09638288.2023.2264186

DO - 10.1080/09638288.2023.2264186

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 37791642

SN - 0963-8288

VL - 46

SP - 4129

EP - 4139

JO - Disability and Rehabilitation

JF - Disability and Rehabilitation

IS - 18

ER -