TY - JOUR

T1 - Using Physical Activity Trackers in Arthritis Self-Management

T2 - A Qualitative Study of Patient and Rehabilitation Professional Perspectives

AU - Leese, J.

AU - Macdonald, G.G.

AU - Tran, B.C.

AU - Wong, R.

AU - Backman, C.L.

AU - Townsend, A.F.

AU - Davis, A.M.

AU - Jones, C.A.

AU - Gromala, D.

AU - Avina-Zubieta, J.A.

AU - Hoens, A.M.

AU - Li, L.C.

PY - 2019/2

Y1 - 2019/2

N2 - Objective: To compare and contrast the perspectives of patients with arthritis and those of rehabilitation professionals regarding starting and sustaining use of physical activity trackers (PATs). Methods: We conducted focus group sessions with patients, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists in Ontario, Alberta, or British Columbia, Canada. To be eligible, patients must have self-reported a diagnosis of inflammatory or osteoarthritis. Rehabilitation professionals reported that at least 40% of their caseload was dedicated to arthritis care. Participants had any level of experience with PATs. A thematic analytic approach was used. Results: The following 3 themes were identified: 1) anticipating sharing objective measures of physical activity. Participants agreed that use of PATs had the potential to improve consultations between patients with arthritis and rehabilitation professionals but were uncertain how to achieve this potential; 2) perceived or experienced barriers to start or continue using a PAT. Participants shared doubts about whether existing PATs would meet specific needs of patients with arthritis and expressed concerns about possible negative impacts; and 3) bolstering motivation? Although there was agreement that use of PATs could bolster the motivation of patients who were already active, patients and rehabilitation professionals had different opinions regarding whether use of PATs alone would motivate patients to start increasing activity levels. Conclusion: Our study highlights similarities and differences between the perspectives of patients and rehabilitation professionals regarding the potential value and risks of integrating PATs into arthritis self-management. Despite agreement about the potential of PATs, participants were uncertain how to effectively incorporate these tools to enhance patient–clinician consultations and had differing views about whether use of PATs would support a patient's motivation to be active. © 2018, American College of Rheumatology

AB - Objective: To compare and contrast the perspectives of patients with arthritis and those of rehabilitation professionals regarding starting and sustaining use of physical activity trackers (PATs). Methods: We conducted focus group sessions with patients, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists in Ontario, Alberta, or British Columbia, Canada. To be eligible, patients must have self-reported a diagnosis of inflammatory or osteoarthritis. Rehabilitation professionals reported that at least 40% of their caseload was dedicated to arthritis care. Participants had any level of experience with PATs. A thematic analytic approach was used. Results: The following 3 themes were identified: 1) anticipating sharing objective measures of physical activity. Participants agreed that use of PATs had the potential to improve consultations between patients with arthritis and rehabilitation professionals but were uncertain how to achieve this potential; 2) perceived or experienced barriers to start or continue using a PAT. Participants shared doubts about whether existing PATs would meet specific needs of patients with arthritis and expressed concerns about possible negative impacts; and 3) bolstering motivation? Although there was agreement that use of PATs could bolster the motivation of patients who were already active, patients and rehabilitation professionals had different opinions regarding whether use of PATs alone would motivate patients to start increasing activity levels. Conclusion: Our study highlights similarities and differences between the perspectives of patients and rehabilitation professionals regarding the potential value and risks of integrating PATs into arthritis self-management. Despite agreement about the potential of PATs, participants were uncertain how to effectively incorporate these tools to enhance patient–clinician consultations and had differing views about whether use of PATs would support a patient's motivation to be active. © 2018, American College of Rheumatology

KW - adult

KW - aged

KW - Alberta

KW - Article

KW - British Columbia

KW - clinical article

KW - consultation

KW - doctor patient relationship

KW - female

KW - human

KW - information processing

KW - male

KW - motivation

KW - occupational therapist

KW - Ontario

KW - osteoarthritis

KW - patient care

KW - perception

KW - physical activity

KW - physiotherapist

KW - qualitative research

KW - rheumatoid arthritis

KW - self care

KW - thematic analysis

U2 - 10.1002/acr.23780

DO - 10.1002/acr.23780

M3 - Journal article

VL - 71

SP - 227

EP - 236

JO - Arthritis Care and Research

JF - Arthritis Care and Research

SN - 2151-464X

IS - 2

ER -