eHealth interventions to support self-management: Perceptions and experiences of people with musculoskeletal disorders and physiotherapists - ‘eHealth: It’s TIME’: A qualitative study

• Published in: Physiotherapy theory and practice Vol. 40; no. 5; pp. 1011 - 1021
• Main Authors: Kelly, Marie, Fullen, Brona M., Martin, Denis, Bradley, Colin, McVeigh, Joseph G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis Ltd 03.05.2024
• Subjects: COVID-19; Intervention; Medical diagnosis; Musculoskeletal diseases; Pandemics; Perceptions; Physical therapists; Physical therapy; Physiotherapy; Selfmanagement; Telemedicine; Therapeutic alliances; musculoskeletal pain; qualitative research; intervention development; self-management; eHealth
• ISSN: 0959-3985; 1532-5040; 1532-5040
• DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2022.2151334

There is increasing interest in the potential role of eHealth interventions to support self-management in people with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The COVID-19 pandemic appears to have been a significant catalyst for the implementation of eHealth modalities into routine practice, providing a unique opportunity for real-world evaluation of this underutilized method of delivering physiotherapy. To explore the perceptions of eHealth-mediated supported self-management from the perspective of people with MSDs and physiotherapists who work in this clinical area. A qualitative interpretive descriptive approach was used. Semi-structured telephone interviews with 13 musculoskeletal physiotherapists and 13 people with musculoskeletal disorders were undertaken. Transcripts were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Three main themes were identified: 1) Flexibility within a blended care model; 2) eHealth as a facilitator of self-management support; and 3) Technology: Getting it right. Participants expressed concerns about assessment and diagnosis, establishing a therapeutic relationship and felt eHealth should be reserved for follow-up purposes. There was a consistent view expressed that eHealth could facilitate aspects of self-management support. A lack of resources and suboptimal user experience remains a challenge. eHealth-mediated self-management support interventions were broadly acceptably, predominately as a follow-up option.