Abstract
Background
The Optimal Physical Recovery After Hospitalization (OPRAH) Intervention is a blended intervention to enhance the functional recovery of patients who had gastro-intestinal or lung cancer surgery. Patients wore an activity tracker to monitor their physical activity and registered their protein intake after discharge from the hospital for a period of three months. They received feedback from the accompanying app regarding their physical activity level and protein intake and were remotely coached by a physiotherapist and dietician.
Purpose
The aim of this study was to evaluate patients’ experiences with this blended intervention.
Methods
A multi methods approach was used to conduct this study, which included semi-structured interviews and an online survey. The online survey included the System Usability Scale (SUS) for the smartphone app. A total of 73 patients were invited for the online survey. Purposeful sampling was used for the interviews. Interviews were analysed qualitatively using an inductive thematic strategy.
Results
Patients (N=58) rated the app as highly usable (SUS 86.2). A total of 97% of the patients would recommend the intervention to others. Interviewed patients (N=25) indicated that the Atris app facilitated insight into their recovery, motivated them to reach their daily physical activity and protein intake goals, and, along with monitoring by the physiotherapist and dietician, created a feeling of being seen. Patients mentioned that the OPRAH intervention contributed to the improvement in their condition and physical status, and thereby supported their recovery. Most reported requirements were to further tailor the intervention to individual needs and enhancement of the nutritional part of the app. Consideration should be given to modifying the look and feel of the activity tracker.
Conclusion(s)
The feasibility of the OPRAH intervention is supported by positive user experiences from patients, as well as good system usability. Implementing the requirements of patients could aid in its implementation in regular healthcare.
Implications
The results of this study, combined with the quantitative results of the OPRAH RCT, will contribute to optimize the recovery path of oncological surgery patients during their rehabilitation period. It also give more insight into the interdisciplinary collaboration between dietician and physiotherapists and the use of healthcare technology. Based on our results, specific education or courses for (future) healthcare professionals will be designed to optimize the collaboration between those professionals and how to make a valuable use of healthcare technology.
The Optimal Physical Recovery After Hospitalization (OPRAH) Intervention is a blended intervention to enhance the functional recovery of patients who had gastro-intestinal or lung cancer surgery. Patients wore an activity tracker to monitor their physical activity and registered their protein intake after discharge from the hospital for a period of three months. They received feedback from the accompanying app regarding their physical activity level and protein intake and were remotely coached by a physiotherapist and dietician.
Purpose
The aim of this study was to evaluate patients’ experiences with this blended intervention.
Methods
A multi methods approach was used to conduct this study, which included semi-structured interviews and an online survey. The online survey included the System Usability Scale (SUS) for the smartphone app. A total of 73 patients were invited for the online survey. Purposeful sampling was used for the interviews. Interviews were analysed qualitatively using an inductive thematic strategy.
Results
Patients (N=58) rated the app as highly usable (SUS 86.2). A total of 97% of the patients would recommend the intervention to others. Interviewed patients (N=25) indicated that the Atris app facilitated insight into their recovery, motivated them to reach their daily physical activity and protein intake goals, and, along with monitoring by the physiotherapist and dietician, created a feeling of being seen. Patients mentioned that the OPRAH intervention contributed to the improvement in their condition and physical status, and thereby supported their recovery. Most reported requirements were to further tailor the intervention to individual needs and enhancement of the nutritional part of the app. Consideration should be given to modifying the look and feel of the activity tracker.
Conclusion(s)
The feasibility of the OPRAH intervention is supported by positive user experiences from patients, as well as good system usability. Implementing the requirements of patients could aid in its implementation in regular healthcare.
Implications
The results of this study, combined with the quantitative results of the OPRAH RCT, will contribute to optimize the recovery path of oncological surgery patients during their rehabilitation period. It also give more insight into the interdisciplinary collaboration between dietician and physiotherapists and the use of healthcare technology. Based on our results, specific education or courses for (future) healthcare professionals will be designed to optimize the collaboration between those professionals and how to make a valuable use of healthcare technology.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 29 May 2025 |
| Event | World Physiotherapy Congress Tokyo - Tokyo, Japan Duration: 29 May 2025 → 31 May 2025 https://wp2025.world.physio/?_ga=2.75367314.1266725588.1751282094-1547035289.1750928416 |
Conference
| Conference | World Physiotherapy Congress Tokyo |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Japan |
| City | Tokyo |
| Period | 29/05/25 → 31/05/25 |
| Internet address |
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