( = 10) .
Characteristic . | Total ( = 30) . | Low Engagement ( = 10) . | Medium Engagement ( = 10) . | High Engagement ( = 10) . |
---|---|---|---|---|
Female sex | 14 (47) | 5 (50) | 3 (30) | 6 (60) |
Geographic region | ||||
Ontario | 13 (43) | 5 (50) | 5 (50) | 3 (30) |
Quebec | 8 (27) | 3 (30) | 1 (10) | 4 (40) |
Western Provinces | 7 (23) | 2 (20) | 2 (20) | 3 (30) |
Atlantic Provinces | 2 (7) | 0 (0) | 2 (20) | 0 (0) |
Years since type 2 diabetes diagnosis, mean ± SD (range) | 12.9 ± 7.9 (1–30) | 9.2 ± 7.2 (1–22) | 11.3 ± 7.4 (2–21) | 18.1 ± 6.9 (5–30) |
Takes more than one diabetes medication | 15 (50) | 4 (40) | 5 (50) | 6 (60) |
Medications | ||||
Metformin only | 9 (30) | 4 (40) | 3 (30) | 2 (20) |
Oral medication(s) other than or in addition to metformin | 9 (30) | 3 (30) | 3 (30) | 3 (30) |
Insulin with or without metformin or other oral medication(s) | 3 (10) | 0 (0) | 2 (20) | 1 (10) |
Noninsulin injectable with or without metformin or other oral medication(s) or insulin | 9 (30) | 3 (30) | 2 (20) | 4 (40) |
Data are n (%) except where noted.
Forty-two themes were identified and mapped to 12 of the 14 theme domains, with the knowledge and skills domains being the exceptions. The most prominent domains, as determined by high-frequency themes or themes for which people with low and high medication-taking had contrasting perspectives were emotion (2 themes); memory, attention, and decision processes (6 themes); behavioral regulation (5 themes); beliefs about consequences (8 themes); goals (3 themes); and environmental context and resources (4 themes). The key themes from the most prominent domains are discussed below, along with illustrative quotes captured during the interviews. A list of all of the identified themes is provided in Supplementary Table S1 .
“Because I take so many medications—at times, I just get frustrated with it—that I’m so ill all the time and I get an attitude like, ‘Oh, well. Who cares? I’m going to do what I want, eat what I want. Sort of like a lack of total awareness of what happens when I don’t take the medicine. I’m just in a mood that I don’t care . . . . I am very tired of taking loads of pills every day after many years.” (low engagement)
“The fact that I have to take it at all—no, doesn’t make me feel good at all—makes me feel like a total failure. Diabetes was pretty much my own fault because of the huge weight gain I had when I was a kid. . . . but it’s my own fault.” (low engagement)
“For me, it is about accountability and being more responsible in my day-to-day life for how I’m feeling and how I’m doing. Medication is a huge part of that. Being responsible and organized and taking the medication is definitely a part of who I am now. It’s a normal, everyday occurrence, but it’s something I have to do.” (high engagement)
“I would typically travel every 6 months . . . and, absolutely, sometimes I will forget to take the medication with me. Or, just because you’re traveling—you’re outside with family and friends—you’re not able to stick to your regimen. You forget it.” (low engagement)
“All of my medications are very stable and portable, so whenever I have traveled, it’s easy to take everything with me.” (high engagement)
“If work is too busy, I tend to skip one of my doses. Usually there will be social events with friends or long trips or a busy work schedule—they are the activities that interfere with my medication . . . . I skip the doses.” (low engagement)
“I babysit my granddaughter, and she takes up a lot of my time. I forget for a while, but I always take it after.” (high engagement)
“The most important is eating healthy because even if you don’t exercise and you don’t take your medication, if you’re eating healthy, you’re still going to be able to control your sugar levels.” (low engagement)
“Sometimes, I just wake up the next day and go, ‘Oh, I didn’t take the meds last night, did I?’” (low engagement)
“I made everything habit. Once it’s habit, it becomes automatic—you just do it.” (medium engagement)
“I take it in the morning and in the evening—it’s routine. I do go to bed every evening, so I know that I have to take my medication. And in the morning, when I wake up, I take the other medications.” (high engagement)
“I could set alarms on my phone, but I don’t. I don’t use anything, no.” (low engagement)
“[I have] notifications on the phone, blister packs, and . . . Post-It notes and having my family around me, who ask, ‘Did you remember to take this? Did you remember to do that?’” (high engagement)
“Meeting with friends, or any kind of social events, or if I go on long trips—these are activities that are interfering with my medications.” (low engagement)
“It’s a timing thing. It [medication] causes gurgling and gas and all kinds of nastiness, so if I’m going to a restaurant, I would’ve thought ‘I’m going to wait until I’m done with the restaurant to take the pill’ . . . steering around my schedule a little bit. I try not to miss, but if I miss, I wait until the next time. I don’t double dose.” (low engagement)
“In the morning, if my routine is broken, sometimes I can forget, but it’s rare. Almost like a step-by-step thing in the morning. So, I do A, B, C . . . D is taking the pills.” (high engagement)
“Medications come with their own side effects, and they ruin other things, like your liver and kidney and whatever.” (low engagement)
“I was told by the doctor to take [my medication] 3 times a day. At first, I really wanted to follow those instructions from the doctor, but then I would get side effects, like I would have diarrhea and metallic taste . . .. It’s not practical. It’s very uncomfortable . . . . I would only take the medicine if I’m staying at home . . . but if I’m working or doing errands outside . . . I stop taking it.” (low engagement)
“I wish there was just one magic pill or one magic injection that will take care of all of it.” (low engagement)
“This medication is helping me. I’m not going to stop taking it. I’m a much happier person. I’m a much better person to my family and everyone as long as I take my medication.” (high engagement)
“The cost is getting to be huge for diabetics. Right now, when you haven’t been working for a year . . . someone on a fixed income . . . and it’s been going up in price—let’s say an average of $170–180 every 2 months for your supplies. And that’s not including your test strips. That is a lot of money.” (medium engagement)
“Initially, I was scared of the drug because I have read [online] that metformin usually causes Alzheimer’s, but later on, when I kept searching, I said, ‘Okay, it’s safe.’ But still, I’m having my concerns about how metformin side effects are going to be in the long term. I was concerned taking it long term.” (low engagement)
Through qualitative interviews, we identified themes and barriers affecting medication-taking among people with type 2 diabetes in Canada using the TDF, with six prominent theme domains identified. These domains were 1 ) emotion; 2 ) memory, attention, and decision processes; 3 ) behavioral regulation; 4 ) beliefs about consequences; 5 ) goals; and 6 ) environmental context and resources. To our knowledge, this is the first study to apply the TDF to qualitative one-on-one interviews with people with type 2 diabetes to provide a greater understanding of the situational context and drivers of medication-taking behavior.
The results from our study extend those of prior studies in several ways, providing further context for the ways in which complex dosing plans, tolerability of medications, and perceptions of risks and benefits of medications ( 13 ) contribute to engagement. These findings also present additional context for how both unintentional nonengagement behaviors, such as forgetfulness and beliefs about the need for medication, and intentional nonengagement behaviors contribute to taking medication as recommended ( 27 , 28 ).
Polonsky and Henry ( 4 ) emphasized that innovative strategies to improve the attitudes of people with type 2 diabetes toward medication or encourage habit formation regarding medication-taking may help increase engagement. Our study used the TDF to identify specific intentional and unintentional behavioral influences on medication nonengagement that were common among people with low medication-taking. This information was further enriched by contrasting the attitudes and behaviors of people with higher medication-taking to derive recommended areas of change. By leveraging findings from our approach, strategies to increase medication-taking can be tailored to target specific behavioral influences and contextual challenges.
Our results can be applied to the development and application of effective interventions to increase medication-taking, and these should take into account the broader TDF theme domains we identified, as well as target specific themes within each domain ( 29 ). For example, people with type 2 diabetes with low engagement experience emotional challenges associated with being overwhelmed by living with diabetes and needing to take medication. Therefore, diabetes self-management support interventions might benefit from incorporating emotion management strategies for people who struggle with diabetes and treatment acceptance ( Supplementary Table S1 , theme 13.1). Diabetes self-management education that provides concise and reliable diabetes and medication knowledge might mitigate issues associated with individuals’ past experiences of having unreliable information sources ( Supplementary Table S1 , theme 11.3) and also address feelings about medication-taking ( Supplementary Table S1 , theme 6.2). The individuals expressed a desire for information that is simple and easily accessible, supports setting expectations regarding side effects, and increases their understanding of the long-term benefits of treatment. Furthermore, we suggest that improving access to resources such as diabetes clinics, pharmacists, and support groups where people with type 2 diabetes can ask questions, receive coaching, and get essential education and training would be useful. These strategies would provide an opportunity to reframe negative feelings about diabetes and medications ( Supplementary Table S1 , theme 13.2). These approaches could also specifically target identified themes such as the importance of long-term goal setting ( Supplementary Table S1 , theme 9.3) and understanding the role of medications in type 2 diabetes treatment and the progressive nature of the disease (i.e., that it usually requires long-term medication use) ( Supplementary Table S1 , themes 9.2 and 10.3).
Likewise, practical support that facilitates medication-taking and increases accessibility may help to increase engagement. It was apparent in this study that disruptions to routines affected individuals who reported low engagement more than those with medium or high engagement, resulting in unintentionally or intentionally forgetting, skipping, or delaying medication doses ( Supplementary Table S1 , themes 10.1, 10.2, and 14.5). This finding highlights an important consideration when selecting medication plans, which should incorporate individuals’ convenience and lifestyle considerations to encourage engagement.
Our findings also highlight the importance of people with type 2 diabetes establishing a medication-taking routine. A number of participants reporting low engagement did not use reminders, whereas those with high engagement had a clear and defined process, including organization resources such as pill boxes and pharmacy-prepared personalized blister packs and tracking resources such as phone alarms, calendars, and diaries ( Supplementary Table S1 , theme 14.2). Thus, encouraging or enabling the use of such tools among people with type 2 diabetes may increase engagement, although success in using these tools may be more a result of individuals’ motivations and organizational skills rather than the mere availability of the tools.
There is also a role for pharmacist teams to identify people with or at risk for low engagement and to support these individuals through actions such as sending refill reminders, dispensing medication in personalized blister packs, and accommodating emergency medication needs, in addition to having conversations with and supporting people with type 2 diabetes in individualized appointments.
Finally, financial barriers such as high costs of medications and glucose monitoring supplies ( Supplementary Table S1 , theme 11.1) can be diminished through health system changes (specifically, covering diabetes-related care products and medications) and through support programs.
There are limitations to our study that should be considered for proper interpretation of the results. First, although quota sampling was conducted to ensure diversity among the participants, little diversity was reflected in recruited participants. Therefore, our participants may not have been representative of all people with type 2 diabetes in Canada. Second, social desirability bias, in which respondents tend to provide answers that overreport desirable and underreport less desirable attributes is a known concern with interviews. However, this problem was mitigated by our comprehensive discussion guide, which approached the topic of medication-taking from many perspectives, as well as by contrasting the responses of people with lower and higher medication-taking engagement. Third, although generating data using the TDF has been shown to be a comprehensive and inclusive approach to exploratory research, it is still a descriptive framework rather than a theory ( 30 ). The results generated do not specify relationships between the domains and do not generate testable hypotheses ( 31 ). Finally, we recognize that qualitative interviews about behavioral influences represent the perceptions of the individuals interviewed and may not reflect the actual causes of their behaviors or be generalizable to broader populations ( 30 ).
Our study identified behavioral influences contributing to lower medication-taking engagement, highlighting key areas for change among a small group of people with type 2 diabetes. Future research is warranted to validate these findings within a larger sample and to explore the suitability of various intervention and implementation options to improve medication-taking ( 32 ). Additionally, the results of this study can inform the development of medical education and training programs for health care providers supporting people with type 2 diabetes in Canada.
This article contains supplementary material online at https://doi.org/10.2337/figshare.25270123 .
The authors thank the people with type 2 diabetes who took part in qualitative interviews for this study. They also thank Carole Hamersky, PhD, and Cory Gamble, MD, of Novo Nordisk Canada, Inc., for expert advice on developing the qualitative discussion guide. The authors thank the following individuals from Real World Solutions, IQVIA Solutions Canada, Inc.: Andrean Bunko, MSc, and Pierre-François Meyer, PhD, for their support conducting interviews, coding, and reviewing theme domain mapping; Atif Kukaswadia, PhD, and Calum S. Neish, PhD, for their guidance and oversight throughout the project; and Vibha Dhamija, MSc, and Saurabh Trikha, PhD, for their assistance with medical writing.
This study was funded by Novo Nordisk Canada, Inc.
M.V., S.J., and N.M.I. received advisory fees from IQVIA Solutions Canada, Inc., for contributions to the design and interpretation of the study but received no compensation for development of the manuscript. A.K.-A. is an employee of Novo Nordisk Canada, Inc. G.N. is a consultant employed by IQVIA Solutions Canada, Inc., to support this study sponsored by Novo Nordisk Canada, Inc. No other potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article were reported.
All authors reviewed the TDF mapping results and participated in the interpretation of results, reviewed and revised the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript. G.N. conducted the interviews, coded the themes, and conducted the theme domain mapping. G.N. is the guarantor of this work and, as such, had full access to all the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.
Parts of this article were presented in abstract form at the American Diabetes Association’s 82nd Scientific Sessions, 3–7 June 2022.
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Published on 21.8.2024 in Vol 26 (2024)
Authors of this article:
Kevin Danis Li 1, 2 , BS ; Adrian M Fernandez 1 , MD ; Rachel Schwartz 3, 4 , PhD ; Natalie Rios 1 , BS ; Marvin Nathaniel Carlisle 1 , BS ; Gregory M Amend 5 , MD ; Hiren V Patel 1 , MD, PhD ; Benjamin N Breyer 1, 2 , MAS, MD
1 Department of Urology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
2 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
3 Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
4 Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
5 Department of Urology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
BMC Health Services Research volume 24 , Article number: 969 ( 2024 ) Cite this article
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The Stop Cancer PAIN Trial was a phase III pragmatic stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial which compared effectiveness of screening and guidelines with or without implementation strategies for improving pain in adults with cancer attending six Australian outpatient comprehensive cancer centres ( n = 688). A system for pain screening was introduced before observation of a ‘control’ phase. Implementation strategies introduced in the ‘intervention’ phase included: (1) audit of adherence to guideline recommendations, with feedback to clinical teams; (2) health professional education via an email-administered ‘spaced education’ module; and (3) a patient education booklet and self-management resource. Selection of strategies was informed by the Capability, Opportunity and Motivation Behaviour (COM-B) Model (Michie et al., 2011) and evidence for each strategy’s stand-alone effectiveness. A consultant physician at each centre supported the intervention as a ‘clinical champion’. However, fidelity to the intervention was limited, and the Trial did not demonstrate effectiveness. This paper reports a sub-study of the Trial which aimed to identify factors inhibiting or enabling fidelity to inform future guideline implementation initiatives.
The qualitative sub-study enabled in-depth exploration of factors from the perspectives of personnel at each centre. Clinical champions, clinicians and clinic receptionists were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews. Analysis used a framework method and a largely deductive approach based on the COM-B Model.
Twenty-four people participated, including 15 physicians, 8 nurses and 1 clinic receptionist. Coding against the COM-B Model identified ‘capability’ to be the most influential component, with ‘opportunity’ and ‘motivation’ playing largely subsidiary roles. Findings suggest that fidelity could have been improved by: considering the readiness for change of each clinical setting; better articulating the intervention’s value proposition; defining clinician roles and responsibilities, addressing perceptions that pain care falls beyond oncology clinicians’ scopes of practice; integrating the intervention within existing systems and processes; promoting patient-clinician partnerships; investing in clinical champions among senior nursing and junior medical personnel, supported by medical leaders; and planning for slow incremental change rather than rapid uptake.
Future guideline implementation interventions may require a ‘meta-implementation’ approach based on complex systems theory to successfully integrate multiple strategies.
Registry: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry; number: ACTRN 12615000064505; data: https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspxid=367236&isReview=true .
Peer Review reports
Pain is a common and burdensome symptom in people with cancer [ 1 ]. Barriers to pain care occur at all ‘levels’, including the patient and family (e.g., misconceptions regarding opioids), clinician (e.g. lack of expertise), service (e.g. inadequate referral processes) and healthcare system (e.g. lack of coordination) [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. A recent systematic review suggests that around 40% of cancer patients with pain may not receive adequate management [ 9 ]. Research has demonstrated that routine screening and implementation of evidence-based guidelines has potential to improve quality of cancer pain care and outcomes [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. However, experience suggests that clinicians are unlikely to utilise screening results or follow guidelines unless these are supported by targeted strategies [ 15 , 16 ].
The Stop Cancer PAIN Trial (ACTRN 12615000064505) was a phase III pragmatic stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial conducted between 2014 and 2019 which compared the effectiveness of screening and guidelines with or without implementation strategies for improving pain in adults with cancer attending six outpatient comprehensive cancer centres in Australia ( n = 688) [ 17 , 18 ]. A pen/paper system to screen for pain using 0–10 numerical rating scales (NRS) for worst and average intensity over the past 24 h was introduced to each centre prior to observation of a ‘control’ phase, in which clinicians were also made aware of the Australian Cancer Pain Management in Adults guidelines [ 19 ]. At the beginning of the training phase, trial investigators presented at staff meetings on the importance of better managing pain and the rationale and evidence base for the intervention components. Implementation strategies (collectively termed the ‘intervention’) were then introduced in a ‘training’ phase and maintained during an ‘intervention’ phase as follows: (1) audit of adherence to key guideline recommendations [ 19 ] and feedback delivered to clinical teams in one or two cycles; (2) health professional education via a ‘Qstream’ email-administered ‘spaced education’ module [ 20 ]; and (3) a patient education booklet and self-management resource for completion together with a clinician that included goal setting, a pain diary and pain management plan [ 21 , 22 ]. Selection of these strategies was informed by the Capability, Opportunity and Motivation Behaviour (COM-B) Model of behaviour change [ 23 ], and evidence that each strategy had been separately effective for supporting guideline implementation for other health conditions. The intervention was supported at each centre by a consultant physician who agreed to be a ‘clinical champion’ [ 24 ].
As reported previously [ 18 ], the Stop Cancer PAIN Trial found no significant differences between the intervention and the control phases on the trial’s primary outcome - the proportion of patients with moderate-severe worst pain intensity who reported a 30% decrease at 1-week follow-up. Fidelity to the intervention was lower than anticipated and variable between centres: only 2/6 centres had two audit cycles rather than one; completion rates for the health professional spaced education varied from 12% to 74% between centres; and the proportion of patients reporting receipt of written information of any kind rose to an average of only 30% (20-44%) versus 22% (2-30%) in the control phase. Unexpectedly, secondary measures of mean, worst and average pain over a 4-week follow-up period improved by 0.5 standard deviation during control as well as intervention phases. However, the lack of a comparison group with no screening system made it difficult to conclude whether improvement in the control phase was due to effects from screening, a Hawthorne effect, or some other explanation.
The current paper reports a sub-study of the Stop Cancer PAIN Trial which aimed to identify factors influencing fidelity to the intervention that might warrant consideration by similar initiatives in the future.
The intervention, methods and results of the Stop Cancer PAIN trial have been described in previous open-access articles [ 17 , 18 ]. The sub-study used a qualitative approach with pragmatic orientation to enable in-depth exploration of factors influencing success from the perspectives of clinicians at each participating centre [ 25 ]. Clinician views canvassed at interview were considered the most efficient means of identifying barriers and enablers among complex contextual factors at each centre, including personnel’s knowledge, attitudes and beliefs towards pain care and the intervention.
The sub-study was approved by the Southwestern Sydney Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC/14/LPOOL/479) as part of the overall trial. All participants gave written informed consent to participate.
Reporting adheres to the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) [ 26 ].
Participants were eligible if they were employed on a permanent basis either full- or part-time at a participating centre in a role that provided clinical care to cancer patients or patient-focused administrative support. The clinical champion at each centre was invited to participate by the research team. Other personnel were invited by means of email circulars and verbal invitations during meetings. Given the diverse range of roles at each centre, no limit was set on sample size to canvass as many perspectives as possible.
Data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews conducted by one of two researchers, a female pharmacist with experience of medical education for pain management (LR), and a male social scientist with a doctorate (TL). Both interviewers had prior experience in qualitative research and knew some participants through their project roles.
Participants were fully aware of the study purpose before consenting. Interviews were conducted face-to-face or by telephone, with the participant and interviewer being the only people present. Interviews began with open questions about ‘what worked’ and ‘didn’t work’ across the intervention before focusing on each implementation strategy in more detail and important contextual factors at their centre (see Table 1 for a topic guide, which was developed specifically for this study). Interviewers explicitly invited criticism, expressing a tone of open enquiry and neutrality throughout. Prompts were used as necessary to explore factors identified by participants in more detail. Factors identified at previous interviews were raised at subsequent ones for verification, inviting participants to disagree or agree as they felt appropriate. No requests were received to return transcripts to participants for comment. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim.
Analysis used the framework method [ 27 ] and a largely deductive approach based on the same theoretical framework used during intervention design - the COM-B Model [ 23 ]. Based on a systematic review, the COM-B Model posits that behaviour change requires three conditions, namely ‘capability’ (including both psychological and physical capacity), ‘opportunity’ (all the factors that lie outside the individual that make the behaviour possible or prompt it) and ‘motivation’ (including habitual processes, emotional responding, as well as analytical decision-making). Initial line-by-line coding categorized data against these conditions according to which best described relationships between factors and behaviours within and across implementation strategies and the levels of patient, clinician and centre. While the COM-B model originally focused directly on human behaviour, it became clear during coding that behaviour was substantially influenced by centre, specialty and disciplinary factors, so these were also considered appropriate foci for coding against COM conditions. To enhance credibility, the same data were coded in different ways where multiple interpretations seemed plausible until coding of further interviews identified consistencies to help with disambiguation. Charting of codes for data within and between centres enabled mapping between the relative contributions made by each condition, summarised as lessons learned for guiding similar initiatives in the future. Dependability was increased by ensuring coding was conducted by two members of the research team (NR, MG) who had no previous involvement in the project but were experienced in qualitative research. Review and discussion with two team members who were involved in the project throughout (TL and ML) was intended to balance ‘outsider’ and ‘insider’ perspectives to guard against bias from preconceived interpretations whilst also referencing contextual understanding. Both Excel 2019 (Microsoft) and NVivo V12 (QSR) software were used to help manage different stages of the analytic process.
Twenty-four people participated across the six centres, ranging from one to six participants. Fifteen were physicians (of whom six were clinical champions), eight were nurses, and one was a clinic receptionist. This response rate ranged from 2 to 27% of eligible personnel at each centre. See Table 2 for a more detailed summary of participant roles at each centre. Interviews were a median of 20 min long, with an inter-quartile range of 13 to 28 min.
Coding against the COM-B Model identified ‘capability’ to be the component having most influence over intervention success, with ‘opportunity’ and ‘motivation’ playing largely subsidiary roles.
Capabilities: Pertinent capabilities were reported to include: a pre-existing, centre-level culture of continuous improvement, communication pathways between senior management and other personnel, established roles and responsibilities for pain care among disciplines and specialties, systems and processes that could readily accommodate the intervention, and a culture of involving patients as partners in care. These capabilities influenced the degree to which personnel and patients had the opportunity and motivation to fully engage with the intervention.
Opportunity and motivation: These elements were most frequently discussed by participants in terms of ‘time’ that personnel could commit to pain care relative to other responsibilities. Clinical champions were perceived to play a critical role in supporting intervention success but were under-resourced at every centre and challenged by turnover in the role at two. In addition to more systemic drivers, individual personnel’s motivation was influenced by the degree to which they accepted the intervention’s value proposition at the outset and perceived this to be demonstrated over time.
Interactions between capability, opportunity and motivation are explored below in terms of their implications for similar future initiatives. Findings suggest that fidelity could have been improved by: considering the readiness for change of each clinical setting; better articulating the intervention’s value proposition; defining clinician roles and responsibilities, addressing perceptions that pain care falls beyond oncology clinicians’ scopes of practice; integrating the intervention within existing systems and processes; promoting patient-clinician partnerships; investing in clinical champions among senior nursing and junior medical personnel, supported by medical leaders; and planning for slow incremental change rather than rapid uptake.
The degree to which centres had a pre-existing culture of continuous improvement was considered important in providing a fertile context for the intervention. At Centre 5, there was a consensus that change of any kind was difficult to instigate, even according to the head of department: “… because it’s new - because we’re so entrenched in our ways ” (C5P04 [Centre 5, participant 04] medical oncologist, head of department and clinical champion). At another, the complex centre-level nature of the intervention was perceived to pose particular challenges compared to oncology drug trials with which they were more familiar: “ we haven’t been a principal site [in a trial of this kind] previously and I think that’s sort of opened up some gaps in knowledge for us and some opportunities for learning in the future … what kind of support we’d need to come with that trial to help it be a success in this culture ” (C3P02 palliative care physician and clinical champion).
Interviews highlighted the importance of articulating the intervention’s value proposition to every member of the workforce and maintaining engagement by demonstrating benefits over time. At Centre 5, some participants perceived that the intervention had been imposed by management rather than generated from clinical priorities: “…senior staff say [to researchers] ‘come to our clinics, but we expect everyone else to do the work’ ” (C5P05 radiation oncologist). This was compounded by a perceived lack of communication about the project, which limited personnels’ opportunity to take a more active role even when they were motivated to do so: “ I would have facilitated [the intervention] … but I didn’t know about it ” (C5P01 nurse practitioner). Eliciting and maintaining engagement was said to be additionally challenged at this centre by high staff turnover, especially among junior medical officers on rotation: “ it was very accepted by the junior medical staff [but] I think, unfortunately, when there’s a relatively high turnover of staff … ” (C5P07 radiation oncology trainee). At two other centres, turnover among personnel required a transition in the role of clinical champion, interrupting support for the intervention while the new incumbents familiarised themselves with the role.
Across centres, participants reported reservations among some of their colleagues regarding the project’s fundamental premises, including the assumption that pain care needed improving at their centre (“ they actually felt this trial was a little bit insulting for their clinical skills. There was a bit of eye rolling and ‘of course we do that already!’ ” (C3P02 palliative care physician and clinical champion)) or that pain warranted a specific focus rather than symptoms more generally: “ I find it more useful when more than one symptom is targeted ” (C5P06 palliative care physician).
More specific criticism was also levelled at each of the intervention strategies as follows.
In the case of screening, two participants questioned the validity of a 0–10 numerical rating scale (NRS) for different reasons: “ sometimes getting the numbers breaks the flow of the narrative” (C6P04 medical oncologist); “they [patients] would say, ‘no, I’m not in pain but I have a lot of discomfort when I swallow’ - it was in the wording ” C5P02 registered nurse). Even one of the clinical champions felt that screening was redundant where pain was very severe: “ if someone is clearly in a pain crisis, you don’t need to be asking … you kind of know what number - they might tell you it’s 15 [out of 10] ” (C6P02 palliative care physician and clinical champion). Perceptions of the value of screening were also influenced by the degree to which it led to demonstrable improvements in pain care, which was undermined by problems with establishing an efficient process at some centres: “ I think I’ve still probably got stray [pain screening] forms on my desk ” (C3P06 palliative care physician). A lack of understanding among personnel and patients about how screening might lead to better pain outcomes was said to result in “ fatigue ” (C5P03 clinical nurse consultant [clinical nurse consultant]; C1P01 palliative care physician and clinical champion), manifest as a downward spiral of effort in, and value from, screening.
The audit and feedback strategy attracted limited attention from personnel at most centres: “ I don’t think that the audit and feedback were terribly noticeable ” (C4P01 medical oncologist and clinical champion). At the centre where only the palliative care department participated, one participant perceived baseline audit results to be acceptable and therefore demotivating for change: “[ the audit results showed] we were doing a good job even ahead of time … it did sort of make you think – ‘well where do we go from here?’ ” (C6P04 pain medicine physician). At another centre, motivation among personnel to improve on less favourable audit findings was perceived to depend on whether they prioritised pain care to start with: “ people have come up to me and said, ‘Gee, we really did very badly didn’t we?’ … but they’re not necessarily the people who don’t treat pain well - that’s the problem ” (C1P01 palliative care physician and clinical champion).
Participants’ opinion on the value of the online spaced education depended on discipline and seniority, with nurses and junior medical officers reporting benefits “( it gave me a bit more confidence that I was on the right track” (C5P01 nurse practitioner)) but consultant physicians perceiving the knowledge level too “basic” (C6P04 pain medicine physician) or questioning advice from online spaced education that their responses were ‘wrong’: “…some of the multiple answers could have been equally valid” (C504 medical oncologist and clinical champion). Where consultants remained engaged, motivation was said to rely on cultivating “ competition” between colleagues (C602 palliative care physician and clinical champion). Inevitably, the voluntary nature of online spaced education also meant that only motivated personnel engaged to begin with.
All participants who had used the patient self-management resource perceived at least some value. However, its use was limited by barriers relating to role and process considered below.
Among the most commonly voiced barriers was a lack of clarity about which specialties and disciplines should be responsible for pain screening, patient education and management. This was usually described in terms of a ‘lack of time’ for pain care relative to other duties afforded greater priority within their scope of practice. Perspectives on roles and responsibilities are considered separately for each aspect of pain care as follows.
While most centres allocated the clinical task of pain screening to clinic receptionists, there was widespread reflection that this had been suboptimal. The only participating clinic receptionist felt that pain screening fell outside her area of responsibility: “but I’m an administrative person - I don’t have anything to do with pain management ” (C2P03 clinic receptionist). Clinician participants across disciplines similarly perceived that pain screening required clinical expertise to assist patients with reporting their pain and triage for urgent follow-up: “ you need somebody talking to the patients, rather than just handing the form, say ‘fill this in’ ” (C2P04 clinical nurse consultant). One centre that recognised this early on reallocated screening from an administrative to a nursing role, leading to substantial improvements in the completeness and quality of data: “ it made a big difference and certainly improved our ability to recognise people who had pain and allowed access for those people who were in severe pain to medications or at least an assessment … implementation through the clerical staff was not a long-term strategy ” (C1P01 palliative care physician and clinical champion).
There was little consensus on which disciplines should be responsible for supporting patients to use the self-management resource, with medical personnel deferring to nurses and vice-versa. Role allocation was challenged by the diverse components within the resource, with each perceived to fall within a different scope of practice: “ pain is something I always do as an assessment … [but] … I’m not managing the pain … I’ll review and make recommendations and talk about the pain diaries and discussing their diary with their palliative care doctor or their general practitioner. And I would encourage that process. [But] I wouldn’t be the one that’s setting the goals on their daily activities and stuff ” (C5P01 nurse practitioner). Some oncology nursing roles were perceived to focus on chemo- or radiotherapy protocols to the exclusion of supportive care unless symptoms arose from, or impeded, treatment. Meanwhile, oncologists tended to interpret their role as solely focused on prescribing rather than also encompassing patient education: “ junior doctors only [have] 15 minutes to take a history and everything. [They] could enter in meds [into the patient resource] if everything else is done by someone else … part of me knows it’s [patient resource] important, but the other part of me - I just - when will I have time in my clinical practice to do it? ” (C5P05 radiation oncologist).
Some oncologists viewed even pharmacological pain management as peripheral to their scope of practice when consultation time was short, prioritising cancer treatment instead. These participants viewed their role as limited to referring to palliative medicine or pain specialists, especially where pain was believed to have causes other than cancer: “ if the pain is a complex pain where the patient doesn’t have evidence of cancer, and it may be treatment-related, then in those scenarios we tend to divert to the chronic pain team ” (C5P07 radiation oncology advanced trainee). While participants from palliative care and pain medicine welcomed referrals for complex cases, they felt that oncologists sometimes referred for pain they could have easily managed themselves: “ what about some regular paracetamol? … These are things that you’d expect any junior doctors, never mind consultants [to have provided advice on] ” (C5P06 palliative care physician).
Participants from several centres expressed a view that the intervention’s complex nature had proven overwhelming for systems and processes at their centres. At two centres, integration was especially challenged by broader infrastructure shifts and process failures that limited receptiveness to further changes. Participants at several centres emphasised the process-driven nature of oncology services and the challenge of changing established processes: “ they have got a pro forma that they use for chemo-immunotherapy review, and pain is not part of it, and that perhaps needs more of an organisational nuance … why doesn’t pain feature as a clinical outcome as part of the chemotherapy, immunotherapy review?” (C6P01 clinical nurse consultant). Participants emphasised the need to integrate pain care into existing processes to help personnel understand what was expected of them: “…nursing staff were getting them [screening forms] in the patient’s files and going, ‘what am I supposed to do with this?’ ” (C2P04 clinical nurse consultant). Moreover, centres’ focus on cancer treatment meant that pain care struggled to gain traction even when a process could be instituted: “ unless pain is the presenting complaint and is at the forefront it goes into those, sorts of, you know, the ‘other details’ ” (C5P06 palliative care physician). For the palliative care centre, where pain care was already prioritised, there were doubts about how the proposed process improved on those already in place: “ I generally ask pretty detailed questions about pain anyway [so don’t need patients to be screened in the waiting room] ” (C6P04 pain medicine physician).
Suggestions for better integrating the intervention included “in-building” (C3P04 medical oncologist) responsibility for the strategies within new staff roles or introducing the strategies gradually by means of a “ multistep process” (C5P04 medical oncologist, head of department and clinical champion). Features of two strategies were singled out as having positive potential for supporting existing processes of care. The patient resource was said to “ facilitate communication between the oncology teams and the palliative care team ” (C5P05 radiation oncologist) and serve as a “ visual cue ” (C3P02 medical oncologist) to cover educational topics that “ they might have otherwise forgotten ” (C2P01 palliative care physician and clinical champion). Participants also found the spaced education email administration, spacing and repetition “ easy to manage ” (C2P01 palliative care physician and clinical champion) within their daily routines.
Several participants expressed surprise at the prevalence of moderate-severe pain in screening results, and acknowledged that this revealed under-reporting of pain in usual care. Under-reporting was perceived to stem partly from patient expectations that pain from cancer was “ normal ” (C4P03 nurse practitioner) and to be especially common in the context of certain generational or cultural attitudes towards pain and opioids (“ I certainly think there’s a cultural element but there’s also your elderly patients who you know have been through the war and they’re just used to coping with things and you just suck it up … it’s like a badge of honour to be able to say ‘I’m not one of these pill-takers ’” (C3P03 registered nurse [RN])) or when patients were concerned that reporting pain might reduce their fitness for anti-cancer treatment: “[ patients might think that] if I tell them honestly how crappy I am with other symptoms and pain and everything, then they might stop my chemo” (C3P02 palliative care physician). Several participants perceived that under-reporting was also due to patients taking an overly passive role in consultations: “[clinicians assume that] if the patient doesn’t bring it up, it’s not a problem for them and … then the patient [is] thinking ‘the doctor will only talk about important things that are important for me and I won’t mention it because obviously it’s not important’ ” (C3P02 palliative care physician and clinical champion).
The screening component of the intervention was considered to address under-reporting by “ normal[ising] ” pain care, thus encouraging disclosure. The patient resource was also considered helpful for building patient capability to partner with clinicians on pain management by “ encouraging self-efficacy ” (C2P01 palliative care physician and clinical champion) through the tools it provided and its positive message that “ you can get control of your pain ” (C3P02 palliative care physician and clinical champion). It was also perceived to help patients “ keep a record ” (C5P03 clinical nurse consultant) of breakthrough pain and analgesia to discuss in their consultation. However, some participants delineated patient groups who might be less able to use the resource, including those with lower educational levels who struggled to set goals and identify an ‘acceptable’ level of pain balanced against side-effects from pharmacological management. For these patients, it was suggested that too many resources could be overwhelming rather than supportive: “ it’s almost like, the more resources they have, the less resourced there are ” (C5P06 RN). At one centre with an especially diverse demographic, patients were said to require substantial support even to understand the purpose and process of pain screening: “ most [patients] look at you going ‘oh, do I have to do anything?’ … They don’t want to read the [instruction] page which is relatively simple ” (C2P03 clinic receptionist).
All participants perceived the role of clinical champion to be pivotal to the intervention’s success. Champions were perceived to have two major responsibilities: advocating for the intervention among colleagues to boost motivation and providing practical support to build capability.
To be effective advocates, champions were perceived to need support from senior management ( “[leadership of change] it’s got to happen from the top ” (C5P02 RN)) as well as established, cordial relationships with colleagues they could leverage to motivate engagement: “ it also relies on the champion’s personal relationship with the staff which you’re asking to perform these roles and trying to change their management ” (C1P01 palliative care physician and clinical champion). Where champions felt under-supported by management, they relied on moral support from the project team to sustain their advocacy work: “ being the champion, and sometimes being the nagging champion, it actually felt quite nice to have the back-up of other people ” (C1P01 palliative care physician and clinical champion). Both physicians and nurses perceived the champion role might better suit the scope of practice of a junior doctor or senior nurse rather than consultants, based on their willingness to engage and approachability: “ realistically, you’re probably always going to get more engagement with registrars compared to consultants, unless it’s their own trial ” (C5P07 radiation oncologist); “ just give it [the role] to the CNCs [clinical nurse consultants] because as a general rule they’re the best at everything and have the best relationships with the patient ” (C3P04 medical oncologist).
From a practical perspective, clinical champions were expected to provide human resources for establishing and supporting pain screening and patient education: “ you need a body ” (C2P04 clinical nurse consultant). Unfortunately, however, champions across centres reported having limited time protected for the role within their usual duties: “ there just wasn’t the manpower to do that here ” (C3P02 palliative care physician and clinical champion). One suggestion for boosting capacity was to narrow the focus to one clinic and delegate practical tasks to less senior delegates than required for advocacy to render the time commitment more cost-effective: “[ it] might have been better to focus on one clinic and have full-time … junior nurse ” (C5P05 radiation oncologist). This presented an opportunity to train more than one clinical champion to provide better coverage across shifts and safeguard against the risk of losing champions to staff turnover.
While the barriers above meant only modest practice changes could be achieved, champions at half the centres perceived incremental progress had been made through increasing awareness among personnel regarding pain care as a focus for improvement: “ I think just trying to make pain something that people think about was probably one of the better strategies ” (C1P01 palliative care physician and clinical champion); it’s more at the top of our minds to remember, to screen the pain at every visit ” (C2P01 palliative care physician and clinical champion); “ I think it has highlighted those issues for us and we now need to take this on ” (C5P04 medical oncologist, head of department and clinical champion). Both nursing and medical participants at Centre 5 emphasized the need to be persistent in striving for continuous improvement: “ I think to get practice change, even for well-motivated people, I think it just needs to be pushed … they’ve done similar things with hand washing for doctors and it’s finally getting through ” (C504 medical oncologist and clinical champion); “ it would take more than just one of these kind of programs to get people to change ” (C5P03 clinical nurse consultant). Encouragingly, participants at this and one other centre expected some clinicians to continue using the patient education booklet and resource after the project ended: “ I’d just love to continue using these booklets ” (C5P02 RN); “[the] patient-held resource has been useful and has been taken up by people and I think they will continue to use those ” (C6P02 palliative care physician and clinical champion).
This qualitative sub-study of a cluster randomized controlled trial identified centre-level capabilities to be the most influential factors impeding or facilitating guideline implementation strategies for improving pain care for outpatients with cancer. Findings suggest that future initiatives of this kind should: consider centre readiness for change; articulate and deliver on the intervention’s value proposition; define clinician roles and responsibilities; integrate the intervention within existing systems and processes; promote patient partnership; invest in the clinical champion role, drawing from senior nurses and junior doctors, with support from medical leaders and management; and design the initiative around slow incremental change rather than rapid uptake.
Our findings are largely consistent with those from an ethnographic study exploring factors influencing implementation of cancer pain guidelines in Korean hospital cancer units, which identified a ‘lack of receptivity for change’ to be a key barrier [ 28 ]. However, observations from the Korean study suggested that a lack of centre leadership and cultural norms regarding nursing hierarchy were the most important underlying factors, whereas our Australian sample focused more on constraints imposed by centre systems and processes and a lack of clarity regarding disciplinary roles. These factors were consistently emphasized regardless of participants’ discipline and seniority, including by one centre’s head of department. Consistent with these findings, a recent Australian qualitative sub-study of anxiety/depression guideline implementation in oncology centres found greater role flexibility to be a key factor underpinning organisational readiness for change [ 29 ]. This team also provided quantitative evidence consistent with our finding that centres’ readiness for change is associated with personnel’s perception of benefit from guideline implementation [ 30 ]. Future initiatives should work harder to persuade clinicians of the intervention’s rationale and evidence base prior to commencement, given that perceptions of coherence and effectiveness are key dimensions of acceptability required for clinicians to invest time and effort [ 31 ]. Since our Trial was conducted, evidence has emerged for an impact from cancer symptom screening on survival that could be used persuasively [ 32 ]. Furthermore, the spaced education module might be more acceptable if made adjustable to the knowledge levels of a broader range of clinicians.
Other studies on implementation of cancer pain guidelines [ 11 , 13 ] suggest that structured approaches to process change tend to be more successful than less prescriptive approaches of the kind taken in the Stop Cancer PAIN Trial. We provided centres with guideline implementation strategies but no clear guidance on how to integrate these within existing contexts - i.e. implementation of the implementation, or ‘meta-implementation’. It was wrongly assumed that clinical champions could support integration with centre processes based on their knowledge of local context, but this turned out to be unreasonable given champions’ limited time for the role and lack of training in change management. Like most research to date [ 33 , 34 ], our trial focused largely on the advocacy role played by clinical champions, neglecting more practical and time consuming aspects that our interviews identified to be just as important. We join others in calling for more research on the mechanisms by which clinical champions can optimally facilitate change and ways to maximize their efficacy through training and support [ 24 ]. This should include exploration of optimal models by which different aspects of the champion role might be shared between more than one person where no-one is available with all the necessary attributes, as well as ways to ensure sustainability after support from the project team is withdrawn.
Theory-based research suggests that adding complex interventions to complex healthcare systems creates dynamic interplay and feedback loops, making consequences hard to predict [ 35 ]. In the current trial, this was likely exacerbated by our attempt to combine multiple strategies targeting patient, clinician and centre levels. We chose each strategy based on evidence for its stand-alone efficacy, and combined strategies rather than used them singly with the intent of leveraging complementary mechanisms, as recommended by the COM-B Model and US Institute of Medicine [ 36 ]. However, findings from our interviews suggest that interactions between the strategies and local processes separated their spheres of influence, precluding intended synergies. The Stop Cancer PAIN Trial is not alone in having over-estimated the value of combining guideline implementation strategies; a recent systematic review found that 8 other multi-component interventions similarly demonstrated limited effects on guideline adherence and patient outcomes [ 37 ]. Collectively, these findings suggest that future attempts at combining strategies should consider complex systems theory as well as behaviour change frameworks at each of a number of stages [ 38 ]. Alternatively, a more manageable approach for most cancer centres might be to focus on just one component at a time, periodically reviewing progress against SMART goals and, depending on results, supplementing with additional components using plan-do-study cycles [ 39 ].
Given the challenges with integrating screening into centre processes, it seems unlikely that improvements in pain scores during the control phase reported in our primary results article were due to the spontaneous use of screening data in consultations [ 18 ]. Indeed, while routine use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in oncology has been researched for more than a quarter-century [ 40 ], benefits to patient outcomes have only recently been demonstrated in the context of electronically-administered PROMs (ePROMs) that enable remote self-reporting, real-time feedback to clinicians, and clinician-patient telecommunication [ 12 ]. Further research is needed on how best to support clinician engagement with ePROMs, including training on how to use results in partnership with patients to assist shared decision-making and self-management [ 41 ].
A worrying finding from the current study was that some or all aspects of pain care were perceived to fall between the scopes of practice for oncology clinicians from each discipline. Clinical practice guidelines emphasize the need for pain care to be inter-disciplinary in recognition of the need for comprehensive assessment, non-pharmacological as well as pharmacological management, and patient education and support for self-management [ 42 ]. While the patient self-management resource included in the intervention was perceived to support communication between clinicians and patients, its potential for assisting coordination of care between disciplines was limited where roles and responsibilities were not previously established. Our findings and other research suggest that future initiatives may benefit from ‘process mapping’ with clinicians to identify where clinical workflow and roles might be reconfigured to incorporate the various aspects of pain care in the most efficient ways that do not substantially add to workload [ 41 ].
Patient education has been proven to improve pain outcomes by clinical trials [ 43 , 44 ], and we have argued previously that supporting pain self-management should be core business for all clinicians working in cancer care [ 45 ]. The ‘coaching’ approach needed to empower patients to recognize themselves as ‘experts’ on their pain and equal partners with clinicians in its management is iterative rather than a single event, and is ideally built on established and ongoing therapeutic relationships of trust with a particular team member. However, findings from patient education research more generally suggest that patient education and behaviour change is also optimally supported when key messages are reinforced by differing disciplinary perspectives [ 46 ]. Results from the current study suggest that these principles of pain care need more formal recognition within the scope of practice of oncology clinicians to ensure they are afforded sufficient time alongside anti-cancer treatment and related supportive care. Findings also indicate that clinicians may require training in the person-centred, partnership-oriented aspects of pain care beyond the educational approach used in the Stop Cancer PAIN Trial and other research [ 47 ]. Such training should be repeated regularly to ensure it reaches the majority of personnel at cancer centres, allowing for turnover.
The current study had several limitations. Transferability even within Australia is limited by a focus on metropolitan services in only three out of eight jurisdictions. Data relied on clinician perspectives, and the response rate was less than one quarter of personnel at each centre, with the disciplines and specialties of participants being unrepresentative of centre workforces. Over-sampling of medical compared to nursing personnel likely reflects the fact that all clinical champions were medical consultants, while the predominance of palliative care physicians among medical participants presumably arises from the central focus this specialty has on pain care. Notably, our sample included no perspectives from allied health disciplines, despite the important roles these can play in non-pharmacological pain management. Confirmability was threatened by the potential for cognitive bias among researchers towards a favourable view of the intervention given their long-standing investment as members of the project team. We attempted to offset this by explicitly inviting criticism of the intervention from participants, and having the initial analysis conducted by researchers with no prior involvement in the project. A final limitation concerns reliance on the COM-B Model for analysis rather than an alternative framework or more inductive approach. While the COM-B has been widely used to explore barriers and facilitators across a wide range of healthcare interventions, we applied the model in a somewhat novel way to systems and processes as well as individuals’ behaviour after finding that participants perceived their agency to be majorly constrained by these. An implementation framework such as the integrated-Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Service (i-PARIHS) framework (iPARIHS) [ 48 ] or Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) [ 49 ] would have conceived of factors and their relationships in alternative ways that might have proven equally informative [ 50 ].
This qualitative sub-study elucidated important factors influencing the success of guideline implementation strategies at six cancer centres in the Stop Cancer PAIN Trial. Findings underscore the value that a qualitative approach offers for understanding the role of context when evaluating complex interventions [ 51 ]. Ultimately, the Stop Cancer PAIN Trial may have been overly ambitious in the scale of its intervention, especially given limited resources available at each centre. Further research is needed to understand how multi-component guideline implementation strategies can be optimally introduced within the context of local roles, systems and processes.
The qualitative interview datasets generated and analysed during the current study are not publicly available due to the conditions of ethical approval which acknowledge the risk of participant re-identification.
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The authors would like to dedicate this article to the memory of Sally Fielding, who worked as a valued member of the project team throughout the Stop Cancer PAIN Trial. We would also like to acknowledge the contributions of project manager A/Prof Annmarie Hosie, data manager Dr Seong Cheah, and research assistant Layla Edwards.
This research was supported by a grant from the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
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IMPACCT Centre—Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Building 10, 235 Jones St, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
Tim Luckett, Meera Agar & Maja Garcia
School of Nursing and Centre for Healthcare Transformation, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Jane Phillips
South West Sydney School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia
The Limbic, Sydney, Australia
Linda Richards
Palliative Care Department, Greenwich Hospital, HammondCare, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Najwa Reynolds & Melanie Lovell
University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
Patricia Davidson & David Currow
Charles Perkins Centre, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Patricia Ritchie Centre for Cancer Care and Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Frances Boyle
Northern Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Frances Boyle & Melanie Lovell
Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
Lawrence Lam
Deakin Health Economics, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
Nikki McCaffrey
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TL, JP, MA, PMD, TS, DCC, FB, LL, NM and ML contributed to the concept and design of this research. TL, LR, MR, MG and ML contributed to the acquisition, analysis or interpretation of the data. TL and ML contributed to drafting of the manuscript. All authors contributed to revisions of the manuscript and approved the final version.
Correspondence to Tim Luckett .
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This study conducted in-depth interviews to explore the factors that influence the adoption of fall detection technology among older adults and their families, providing a valuable evaluation framework for healthcare providers in the field of fall detection, with the ultimate goal of assisting older adults immediately and effectively when falls occur.
The method employed a qualitative approach, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 30 older adults and 29 families, focusing on their perspectives and expectations of fall detection technology. Purposive sampling ensured representation from older adults with conditions such as Parkinson's, dementia, and stroke.
The results reveal key considerations influencing the adoption of fall-detection devices, including health factors, reliance on human care, personal comfort, awareness of market alternatives, attitude towards technology, financial concerns, and expectations for fall detection technology.
This study identifies seven key factors influencing the adoption of fall detection technology among older adults and their families. The conclusion highlights the need to address these factors to encourage adoption, advocating for user-centered, safe, and affordable technology. This research provides valuable insights for the development of fall detection technology, aiming to enhance the safety of older adults and reduce the caregiving burden.
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As the population of older adults grows, an emerging concern revolves around the prevalence of falls. Age-related gait and balance issues are prevalent and significant in the older adults, increasing the risk of falls and injuries [ 1 ]. Falls can result in a range of injuries, such as fracture or head injury [ 2 , 3 ]. Undoubtedly, the aging population faces a substantial risk related to falls, leading to both mortality and morbidity [ 4 ]. In the United States, statistics indicate that in 2018, 27.5% of adults aged 65 and older reported experiencing at least one fall in the previous year [ 5 ]. One out of five falls results in severe injuries, such as fractures or head trauma. These falls incurred a staggering $50 billion in total medical expenses in the US in 2015 [ 6 ]. There has been a concerning rise in the number of falls resulting in injuries over the years. One study revealed that only 39% of older individuals reported experiencing a fall [ 7 ]. Furthermore, research suggests that the impact of falls continues to affect both admitted and non-admitted older adults, leading to a reduced quality of life for up to nine months following the injury [ 8 ]. On the one hand, a study revealed significant concern and fear among individuals regarding the possibility of the older adults experiencing another fall [ 9 ]. On the other hand, time on the ground (TOG) has been identified as a crucial factor affecting prognosis after a fall. TOG refers to the duration an individual remains on the ground after falling. This factor has been specifically examined in dementia patients, as falls frequently occur in memory care facilities [ 10 ]. However, falls occurring within the home environment during old age often signal the presence of severe underlying health conditions, especially without intime assistance like memory care facilities [ 11 ]. Obviously, falls among older adults is an imperative issue that needs to be addressed.
Given the fact that falls pose a significant concern in healthcare and for family caregivers, there is a growing interest in the development of methods to detect falls. Previous studies on fall detection technology explore the use of sensors in detecting fall-related events among older individuals [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. One study states that fall detection technology covers three dimensions, including wearable devices, camera-based devices, and ambiance devices. It's worth mentioning that many fall detection methods are already mature and commercially available. These include video-based systems using cameras to monitor movements, microwave-based methods with radar technology to detect falls, and acoustic monitoring that analyzes sounds to identify fall events. These technologies provide valuable alternatives and enhancements to sensor-based fall detection systems [ 15 ]. Wearable devices gather data on body posture and movement, utilizing algorithms to determine if a fall has occurred. Cameras strategically positioned enable ongoing monitoring of older adults, with captured data stored for subsequent analysis and reference. Ambience devices are placed in the surroundings, like walls, floors, and beds. Data from sensors are collected, and an algorithm analyzes the input to determine if a fall has occurred [ 14 ]. Another study found that many solutions also use mobile device sensors, particularly accelerometers, for fall detection in older adults [ 13 ]. The above literature review provides examples of fall detection technology application areas that already exist in the market. Therefore, fall detection technology among older adults has the potential to alleviate the societal burden. However, technology-based solutions, despite their potential benefits, often face resistance from older adults, creating barriers to the adoption of health-related information and communication technology. To address these barriers, we conducted a comprehensive literature review, examining the challenges that older adults may encounter when using fall detection technology.
In 1987, Ram introduced an innovation resistance model [ 16 ], aiming to address the reluctance of consumers to adopt new innovations, particularly when these innovations have the potential to disrupt their existing satisfaction levels or clash with their established beliefs. Building upon this framework, Ram and Sheth [ 17 ] (1989) identified a range of obstacles that hinder consumers' willingness to embrace innovations, classifying them into two main categories: functional barriers and psychological barriers. Functional barriers encompass aspects such as usage limitations, value considerations, and risk perceptions. We conducted a literature review on the barriers that older adults may face when using the technology. Among usage barriers, age-related factors, including hearing impairments, reduced dexterity, declining vision, and mild cognitive challenges, can significantly impact the ease with which users adopt new technologies [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. Previous research [ 18 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ] has emphasized that technical unfamiliarity, which includes inadequate technical skills, a lack of understanding about how to use technology, and limited computer literacy, poses significant challenges for older individuals in adopting new technologies. Additionally, a lack of clear and comprehensive instructions has been identified as a common obstacle for older adults in the literature [ 24 , 27 , 28 ]. Given that the value barrier concept suggests innovative products must offer greater value than existing ones to motivate consumers to switch, there is a scarcity of references related to this description. On the other hand, risk barriers encompass concerns about product reliability, including issues like false alarms and inaccurate data, which can be functional risks that older individuals may encounter [ 19 , 27 , 29 , 30 , 31 ]. High costs also contribute to risk barriers. Many older adults are concerned about the price of the product itself [ 22 , 30 , 32 ]. Furthermore, privacy concerns have been raised by many older individuals, adding to the array of issues related to risk barriers [ 18 , 21 , 22 , 33 , 34 ].
Psychological barriers encompass traditional belief barriers and image-related barriers. Older adults also encounter psychological barriers when using information and communication technology. Among older adults, attitude toward technology represents a common traditional belief barrier, reflecting issues related to trust in their ability to manage devices and their reluctance to adopt it [ 18 , 21 , 35 ]. Image barriers involve concerns about a product's appearance [ 27 ], with some older individuals perceiving certain products as designed for younger generations, which may deter their adoption [ 24 ].
While numerous articles have explored the barriers older individuals face in adopting information and communication technology (ICT) [ 18 , 22 , 36 ], it's essential to acknowledge that ICT encompasses a wide range of applications, making it a diverse and multifaceted topic. Within healthcare, various applications exist, which can make it challenging for healthcare providers to develop products that cater specifically to their target users. While the previous studies encompass fall prevalence, economic burden of falls, and the challenges older adults may face when using ICT, this study focuses more on barriers of these technological products used by older adults and their families, providing a valuable evaluation framework that can aid healthcare providers, particularly in the field of fall detection. Through this research, we aim to offer a valuable assessment framework for making the best use of ICT to help older adults immediately and effectively when falls happen.
In order to address our research inquiry on the perceived challenges associated with the adoption of fall detection technology and expectations of fall detection technology among older adults and their families, we employed a qualitative approach. Our primary sources of data analysis were semi-structured interviews from in-depth interviews. In-depth interviews are widely acknowledged and commonly used in qualitative research [ 37 ]. The semi-structured interview outline utilized in our study provided a well-defined yet flexible and open-ended framework for exploring the topic [ 38 ]. To align with the research objectives, we developed a semi-structured interview outline, including the background of participants, expectations of fall detection technology, and innovation resistance (see Tables 1 and 2 ). Face-to-face interviews were then conducted with older adults along with their families.
The aim of this study was to understand the perspectives of older adults with chronic disease, who are prone to falls [ 1 ], and their family caregivers, who are the older adults’ spouses or children. Purposive sampling was employed, and specific inclusion criteria were set for the study participants. These criteria consisted of: (1) healthy individuals over the age of 20 who agreed to participate; (2) participants aged 45 or above, including those affected by stroke, frailty, dementia, Parkinson's disease, and other diseases; (3) participants whose condition was stable, able to mobilize, and willing to take part in the study. We included participants younger than 60 years old in our study because they have chronic diseases such as stroke, dementia, and Parkinson's disease. Individuals with these conditions are more prone to falls compared to others. Although these diseases are typically associated with older adults, we believe that younger participants with these conditions are potential future users of fall detection technology. Therefore, our sample includes individuals under 60 years old and their respective family caregivers.
To ensure clear comprehension of the study's purpose, procedures, and potential risks, an individualized approach was adopted in explaining the study to each participant. Additionally, oral explanations were provided to ensure their understanding of the research instructions and terms outlined in the consent form. In total, interviews were conducted with 30 older adults and 29 families (with one family unable to attend).
The study received ethical approval from the Human Research Ethics Review Committee, and the case number assigned was A-ER-110–211. From September 2022 to April 2023, in-depth interviews were conducted in NCKU outpatient hospital using a semi-structured interview outline. The interview process began with the researchers introducing themselves to the participants and providing a detailed explanation of the study's purpose, the interview procedure, and the rights of the participants. Privacy regulations were emphasized, assuring the interviewees that their personal data would be treated confidentially. Following comprehension of the study's objectives and their rights, the participants were informed about the recording of the interview. It was made clear that if they preferred not to be recorded, the investigators would respect their decision and take handwritten notes instead. Each interview lasted approximately 40–60 min. After each interview, research assistants were responsible for transcribing the recorded interview files to create a written transcript of the data. Prior to analysis, the researchers reviewed the verbatim transcripts of the interviews to ensure accuracy and identify any potential errors. If any inconsistencies or missing information were found, another researcher would review the audio recording and the transcript to ensure accuracy and correct any deviations from the original intended meaning.
The qualitative interview data in this study was subjected to content analysis. To streamline the content analysis process and identify themes within the qualitative responses, a panel consisting of four members was established. In addition, the whole process of data analysis was supervised by the professor. The panels include one doctoral researcher, one research assistant, and two graduate students. In employing the inductive approach, 4 researchers employed a systematic process that involved dividing the data into distinct units of meaning, condensing these units, assigning codes, categorizing the codes, and identifying overarching themes [ 39 , 40 ]. The analysis began with the researchers thoroughly reading and rereading the interview data, treating each segment as a unit of analysis. Similar statements within the text were identified and extracted to form meaning units. These meaning units were then condensed through a careful reduction process while ensuring the preservation of their core essence. Subsequently, the meaning units were systematically coded based on their content, with researchers assigning specific codes to each unit. Once the coding process was complete, all the codes were further organized into meaningful categories. Finally, the researchers identified and grouped together different categories that shared related underlying meanings, thereby forming overarching themes [ 41 ]. This rigorous approach to content analysis enabled a comprehensive exploration and interpretation of the qualitative interview data in the study.
From September 2022 to April 2023, the study included 30 older adults and 29 family members, all recruited from NCKU Medical Center in Taiwan. These participants are referred to as N_ Interviewee (older adults /family). The older adults, primarily diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, dementia, or stroke, were selected based on their scores on the Morse Scale [ 42 ], Clinical Frailty Scales [ 43 ], and Barthel Index [ 44 ]. Additionally, the study documented the history of fall events and the relationship between the older adults and their family. Among the older adults, 19 older adults had experience using smartphones, while the remaining older adults did not have the experience (Table 3 ).
Based on the interviews conducted with older adults and their families, we have identified the primary considerations influencing the decision to use wearable fall-detection devices (as detailed in Fig. 1 ; Appendix). These considerations span various aspects, including (1) health considerations, (2) reliance on human care, (3) personal comfort issues, (4) market alternatives, (5) attitude towards technology, (6) financial concerns, and (7) expectations for fall detection technology. The main factors are described below.
Factors influencing adoption of fall detection technology in older adults and families
Concerns about potential health risks associated with wearable fall-detection devices emerged as a significant barrier to their adoption. older adults and their families expressed apprehensions about adverse effects such as dizziness, skin irritation, electrical leakage, and electromagnetic radiation. These concerns are particularly pronounced among older individuals, who tend to be more cautious about new technologies that interact directly with their bodies.
“Yeah, older adults won’t wear it if it's uncomfortable; it's just about avoiding dizziness.” (8_family)
For instance, some family members voiced worries about the possible radiation-related functions of these devices. Others were concerned about the risk of skin allergies and electrical leakage due to the close contact of these devices with the skin. These apprehensions highlight a broader fear of unknown health impacts, which can deter older adults from embracing new technological solutions for fall detection.
“Well, just now, it's just that I've heard that there might be some concerns about it. Because it's worn on the skin, so there's a fear of it having some impact on their skin. Also, there's the question of whether it might have electrical leakage.” (6_family)
“Perhaps, he has some kind of fear, like he might think that this thing could cause harm to the body? Or maybe he's worried about things like skin allergies or getting an electric shock, and so on.” (20_family)
Despite the potential benefits of fall-detection technology, many participants in the study emphasized a strong preference for human care and assistance. The majority believe that hiring caregivers or relying on family members is a more reliable and comforting approach. This trust in human assistance is deeply rooted and may significantly hinder the adoption of technological solutions.
Several older adults indicated that they felt no need for fall-detection devices because they were constantly accompanied by attentive family members or professional caregivers. For instance, some older adults mentioned that their spouses or foreign domestic workers were always available to assist them with daily activities, rendering the technology unnecessary. Others noted that their children, who are medical professionals, provided adequate care, further diminishing the perceived need for such devices.
Additionally, the cultural context plays a significant role in this reliance on human care. The close-knit family structure and the high value placed on personal interaction and caregiving contribute to the resistance against technological interventions. Many participants expressed a preference for investing in human care over spending money on devices, indicating that they view personal care as more effective and compassionate.
“Most people now hire foreign domestic workers to provide care. If he needs to get up to go to the bathroom, he'll definitely inform the foreign caregiver, saying, "I need this, I need that, please help me up.” (22_older adults)
“So instead of this, we might end up hiring someone to take care of him or considering long-term care services. Because rather than spending that money, it's the same as having someone look after you 24 h a day.” (2_family)
In summary, both health considerations and a strong reliance on human care are critical factors influencing the adoption of wearable fall-detection devices among older adults. Addressing these concerns through better education about the safety and benefits of these technologies, as well as integrating them into existing caregiving practices, may help in overcoming these barriers.
The comfort and practicality of wearable devices are critical concerns for potential users, significantly impacting their adoption. Key issues identified include the weight and physical discomfort of these devices. Users are generally inclined to avoid technologies that cause inconvenience or discomfort in their daily lives, highlighting the necessity for user-friendly and ergonomic designs.
Participants indicated that the weight of the devices is a primary concern; many stated a preference for lightweight options. Physical discomfort, such as restrictions in movement, emerged as a significant factor. For example, older adults expressed concerns about devices causing discomfort when attached to the knee or foot, which could interfere with their mobility and overall comfort. There is a clear preference for devices that are unobtrusive and do not hinder daily activities.
“Fastened around the knee, I can't do it now. I'm afraid I'll get stuck when I'm walking.” (1_older adults)
“I care about the weight. It shouldn't be too heavy; it should be relatively lightweight.” (20_older adults)
The preference for traditional fall prevention tools, such as canes and emergency buttons, was evident among many participants. These established solutions are familiar and trusted, making them more appealing than newer technological alternatives. Additionally, some participants believed that canes provide proactive assistance to prevent falls, whereas fall detection technology only alerts family members after a fall has occurred, which does not prevent the incident itself.
Participants noted that they already possess reliable fall prevention tools at home, such as emergency buttons, which they trust for their effectiveness in emergencies. The familiarity and simplicity of these tools make them a preferred choice over fall detection technology. Additionally, canes with stable bases are viewed as effective in ensuring personal safety and preventing falls, further reducing the perceived need for fall detection technology. To compete with traditional methods, fall-detection technology must not only match but surpass the reliability and convenience of existing tools.
“I currently have an emergency button installed in my home. If I have an accident, I can just press that button, and the security company will come to assist me.” (19_older adults)
“Because he just took the crutch and walked with it. Yes, if he wears this, he will still fall.” (8_family)
A prevailing theme in the interviews is resistance to change, with some older individuals expressing a reluctance to adapt to new technologies. This resistance is often rooted in perceptions of inconvenience, unfamiliarity, and a general aversion to having devices attached to their bodies. Overcoming this resistance will require addressing user concerns and providing user-friendly solutions.
Elderly individuals frequently describe new devices as uncomfortable and cumbersome. For example, one older adult noted feeling "strange" and "not used to it" when considering wearing fall-detection devices. Others expressed outright resistance, emphasizing a strong preference for maintaining their current routines without the addition of new technological elements. This sentiment is further compounded by a dislike for the perceived hassle of wearing or carrying additional items, such as glasses or wearable devices.
“It's a strange feeling, doesn't feel like it, not used to it, feels weird.” (16_older adults)
“I'm just too lazy to wear glasses. We usually don't like having things hanging here and there.” (24_older adults)
“And to be honest, older people might have a greater psychological burden. If you ask them to carry something every day, they might not like it or feel that it restricts their mobility, and they might not want it.” (20_family)
The cost of fall-detection devices is a significant consideration for many older adults and their families. Affordability is a key factor in their decision-making process, with financial capability greatly impacting the willingness to adopt new technology.
Many participants highlighted the financial burden that expensive fall-detection devices could impose. For families already managing substantial living expenses, the additional cost of advanced technology may be prohibitive. This financial strain is particularly acute for those on fixed incomes or with limited financial resources.
“I don’t want this if it’s too much money.” (9_older adults)
“I think financial capability comes first. If there are no issues with economic conditions, you have to make sure they have the financial ability to afford it. That's the main issue.” (5_family)
Participants highlighted several key expectations for fall detection technology, which, if met, could facilitate its adoption. These expectations include features such as remote notifications, physical support, real-time older adults status updates, and immediate assistance functions. Meeting these expectations can enhance the perceived value of fall detection technology and increase user willingness to adopt it.
A major expectation is the ability of the technology to provide real-time notifications to caregivers or family members when a fall occurs. Participants expressed a desire for systems that could alert them regardless of their location, ensuring timely intervention. For example, one family member emphasized the need for notifications even if older adults are far away, illustrating the importance of reliable and far-reaching communication capabilities.
Another expectation is for the technology to offer some form of physical support to prevent falls before they happen. Participants envisioned devices that could sense an impending fall and provide immediate physical assistance to prevent the incident. This proactive approach would not only enhance safety but also provide peace of mind for both users and their caregivers.
Real-time older adults’ status updates and the ability to monitor the condition of older adults remotely were also highly valued. For instance, having access to visual data or images of the older adults’ home environment was seen as a way to increase the sense of security and ensure timely responses to any issues. Comprehensive data on the older adults' health and activity levels could help in managing and understanding their overall condition.
“If we can assist her just before she falls, that would be the ideal scenario. Being able to support her right before the fall occurs.” (1_family)
“So, if we talk about it in terms of shoes, if it can sense that a person might slip or fall, can it prevent them from falling?” (2_family)
“It might be like this. If he wears it and triggers the alarm when he's far away, like what I just mentioned, if he's in Xitou and triggers the alarm, we're in Tainan.” (6_family)
“Data, as I just mentioned, is about being able to have a more immediate and clear understanding of the progression of the condition. And assuming that there is also the capability to capture images or, in a way, for me to see their condition at home, this might make me feel more at ease.” (10_family)
The adoption of fall-detection wearable devices among older individuals and their families is influenced by a complex interplay of factors, as revealed by the findings of this study. Understanding these factors is essential for the successful integration of such technologies into the lives of older adults. The participants' concerns about safety issues, such as skin irritation, dizziness, electrical leakage and radiation, may stem from a heightened awareness of the potential risks associated with electrical products, especially for wearable devices. These concerns can deter older adults from embracing wearable information and communications technology, implying that safety issue could be the potential barrier. Similarly, another study has identified safety factors, including concerns relate to radiation and the use of electricity [ 45 ]. Thus, to address this barrier, device designers should prioritize safety issues, reducing any safety-related risks. These considerations can help alleviate concerns and enhance user’s confidence. Another theme is the preference for human care over technology, with many participants believing that caregivers or family members provided more reliable support. One review study [ 30 ] emphasizes that companionship plays a crucial role in the context of having a source of support and presence in one's life. The preference for human care in taking care of older adults suggests that fall-detection devices should be viewed as complementary tools rather than replacements for caregivers. This aligns with concerns about the fear of losing social connections and experiencing loneliness [ 46 ]. In other words, while technology can aid in ensuring safety, the emotional and social aspects provided by human caregivers are irreplaceable. This is an important finding that emphasizing this perspective may decrease the barriers of using fall detection technology among older adults.
Issues related to device comfort and practicality were highlighted as significant factors influencing adoption as well. Concerns from stakeholders include device weight and physical discomfort. Obviously, user-friendly design is essential to mitigate these concerns [ 47 ]. Designers should aim to create lightweight, comfortable devices that seamlessly integrate into daily life, or design a fall detection technology that does not require older adults to wear. In addition, participants expressed a preference for traditional fall prevention tools, such as canes or emergency buttons, citing familiarity and trust in these established solutions. Several participants voiced the opinion that a cane is more beneficial than a fall detection device since a cane can provide support to older adults and reduce the risk of falls, whereas they believe that fall detection devices may not effectively prevent older adults from falling. This concept that the product is able to prevent falls is similar to fall prediction systems [ 48 ]. On the one hand, this factor may require fall detection technology to demonstrate its superiority over existing options or complement the characteristics of existing products. On the other hand, perception of inconvenience, unfamiliarity, and embarrassment were common attitudes among older adults [ 19 , 32 , 47 ]. In our study, some participants also stated that fall detection devices are troublesome. We suggest making fall detection devices easy to use by designing them to be simple and not bothersome.
The cost of fall detection devices emerged as a significant consideration for both older adults and their families. Affordability is a key factor in their decision-making process [ 22 , 27 , 30 , 32 , 47 ], highlighting the importance of exploring options for making these devices more accessible, such as through insurance coverage or subsidies. On the other hand, one study investigated the preferred specifications, perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness of an automated fall detection device among older adults who rely on wheelchairs or scooters. It was noted that participants expressed a belief in the utility and user-friendliness of an automated fall detection device. The features include wireless charging, a wristwatch-like design, the option to change the emergency contact person in case of a fall, and the ability to deactivate notifications in case of false alarms [ 49 ]. In our study, participants emphasized the importance of comprehensive fall detection solutions, including remote notifications, real-time older adults’ status updates, and immediate assistance functions. It seems that the function of fall detection technology is oriented toward notifying the families, enabling them to assist immediately. Therefore, prioritizing the creation of devices that detect falls and provide added value through additional features is beneficial for enhancing overall safety and well-being.
Although this study contributes to the field of fall detection technology, the study has several limitations. First, the sample of older adults comes from neurology outpatient. This limits the findings to this specific group and decreases their generalizability. Second, the findings of this study are based on the opinions and experiences of the respondents and may not be fully representative of all potential users of fall detection technology. The experiences and preferences of non-respondents remain unknown and might differ from those who participated in the study. In addition, the study involved respondents with varying levels of fall risk, as they suffered from different health conditions such as acute stroke, mild to moderate dementia, impaired cognitive function, and poor balance and gait. Third, as fall risk factors can significantly influence the perception and acceptance of fall detection technology, the results may not fully capture the nuances of specific subgroups within older population. The in-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted in the outpatient area of the hospital. Although none of the interviewees discontinued the interviews due to privacy concerns, it is important to consider the potential influence of the interview setting. In addition, the outpatient waiting area in a hospital is an open and public space, which might have affected the responses of the interviewees. They may have been conscious of their surroundings and the presence of other individuals, possibly influencing the openness of their responses. Finally, the study focused on a specific population in Taiwan, and the findings may be influenced by cultural and regional factors unique to this context. Cultural differences and healthcare practices may lead to varying perspectives on fall detection technology in other regions or countries.
In this study, we examined the factors influencing the adoption of wearable fall-detection devices among older adults and their caregivers. We identified several key considerations: concerns about potential health risks associated with these devices, the preference for human care over technology, the importance of device comfort and practicality, market alternatives, cost considerations, the attitude towards technology, and expectations of technology. Based on our evaluation framework, it is essential to consider safety, usability, affordability, and complementary to human care when developing fall detection products. In addition, meeting user expectations for comprehensive features like remote notifications and immediate assistance functions can further enhance adoption. Addressing these factors and challenges is expected to enhance the safety and quality of life for older adults, thereby relieving the burden of care.
Data is provided within the manuscript.
Information and communications technology
Mild Cognitive Impairment
Hypertension
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This research was made possible by the support and assistance of a number of people whom we would like to thank. We are very grateful to the anonymous referees for their valuable comments and constructive suggestions on interview and coding. We would like to thank all the respondents for their valuable opinions. This research was supported by the Ministry of Technology and Science under grant number NSTC 112-2628-E-006-008-MY3, NSTC 112-2627-M-006 -005, and the Medical Device Innovation Center (MDIC), National Cheng Kung University(NCKU) from the Featured Areas Research Center Program within the framework of the Higher Education Sprout Project by the Ministry of Education (MoE) in Taiwan. This research was approved by the local Institutional Review Board of NCKUH (IRB Approval No. A-ER-110-211).
This research was supported by the National Science Council under grant number NSTC 112–2628-E-006–008-MY3 and NSTC 112–2627-M-006-005.
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Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
Hsin-Hsiung Huang, Ming-Hao Chang & Peng-Ting Chen
Medical Device Innovation Center, National Cheng Kung University, No.138, Shengli Rd., North District, Tainan City, 704, Taiwan, ROC
Peng-Ting Chen
Department of Electrical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
Chih-Lung Lin
Department of Neurology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
Pi-Shan Sung
Department of Industrial Design, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
Chien-Hsu Chen
Institute of Gerontology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
Sheng-Yu Fan
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Hsin-Hsiung Huang contributed significantly as the main interviewer, played a key role in coding, and contributed to the conception of the article. Ming-Hao Chang participated in designing interview questions, coding, and ensuring the quality of language in the article. Peng-Ting Chen assisted in conceptualizing research directions, overseeing the interview, coding, and the writing process, and shaped the article's concept. Chih-Lung Lin, Pi-Shan Sung, Chien-Hsu Chen, and Sheng-Yu Fan assisted in conceptualizing research directions.
Hsin-Hsiung Huang is pursuing his Ph.D. degree in the Department of Biomedical Engineering from National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan. His major research interests fall in medical device commercialization in the elderly market.
Ming-Hao Chang is pursuing his Master’s degree in the Department of Biomedical Engineering from National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan. His major research interests fall in medical device commercialization, especially in startups.
Professor Peng-Ting Chen received her Ph.D. in Technology Management from the University of National Chiao-Tung University, Taiwan. She is a professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, at National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan. Her current research interests include biomedical device-related business planning, strategies, and policies.
Correspondence to Peng-Ting Chen .
Ethics approval and consent to participate.
The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of NCKUH (IRB number: A-ER-110–211) before commencement. Informed consent was obtained from all subjects.
Not applicable.
The authors declare no competing interests.
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Huang, HH., Chang, MH., Chen, PT. et al. Exploring factors affecting the acceptance of fall detection technology among older adults and their families: a content analysis. BMC Geriatr 24 , 694 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-05262-0
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