User-Centered Development of a Web Platform Supporting Community-Based Health Care Organizations for Older Persons in Need of Support: Qualitative Focus Group Study

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Abstract

Background

The ongoing changes in population demographics increase the relevance of dignified aging across Europe. Community-based health care (CBHC) organizations are necessary to provide sustainable strategies for organizing care for older persons in need of support. To support the digitalization of these organizations, new business models and suitable web platforms are necessary.

Objective

This study, which is part of the European Active and Assisted Living (AAL) project called “ICareCoops”, aimed to explore concepts, approaches, and workflows of CBHC organizations to achieve a comprehensive understanding of extant services offered and relevant requirements to support these services with information and computer technology (ICT) solutions.

Methods

A qualitative study with six focus groups (FGs) with 40 participants was conducted in Switzerland and Slovenia to identify potential stakeholders’ needs and requirements for the user-centered development of a web platform. Data were collected from three different stakeholder groups: (1) older persons in need of support as care receivers, (2) significant others of older persons in need of support, and (3) managers or care providers of CBHC organizations. A semistructured interview guide with open questions was used for data collection. FG sessions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze the content of the FG sessions. To assist with further web platform development, the responses of the FG participants were translated into user stories to describe technical requirements.

Results

By analyzing the transcripts, five main categories were identified: (1) ICT usage behavior of users, (2) challenges of web platform usage, (3) content and technical requirements for the web platform, (4) form and services of CBHC organizations, and (5) rationales of CBHC organizations. The main issues identified were the need for seniors to have individual contact with the CBHC organization and the possibility to coordinate routine services via the web platform, such as ordering meals-on-wheels or booking a caregiver to accompany an older person to the doctor.

Conclusions

The majority of participants showed a lack of familiarity with the usage of ICT. Nevertheless, they were open-minded regarding web platform usage to facilitate workflows and to benefit CBHC organizations. Cooperatives as an organizational model demonstrate a high potential to address users’ needs. Therefore, the web platform offers an essential tool for innovative health care models in the future. Searching for care services, contacting care providers, and communicating with care providers was preferred via personal contact and seemed to be the key element for user acceptance and for the successful implementation of a web platform like “ICareCoops” to support CBHC organizations.

Related collections

Most cited references 42

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Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups.

A Tong, P SAINSBURY, J. Craig (2007)

Qualitative research explores complex phenomena encountered by clinicians, health care providers, policy makers and consumers. Although partial checklists are available, no consolidated reporting framework exists for any type of qualitative design. To develop a checklist for explicit and comprehensive reporting of qualitative studies (in depth interviews and focus groups). We performed a comprehensive search in Cochrane and Campbell Protocols, Medline, CINAHL, systematic reviews of qualitative studies, author or reviewer guidelines of major medical journals and reference lists of relevant publications for existing checklists used to assess qualitative studies. Seventy-six items from 22 checklists were compiled into a comprehensive list. All items were grouped into three domains: (i) research team and reflexivity, (ii) study design and (iii) data analysis and reporting. Duplicate items and those that were ambiguous, too broadly defined and impractical to assess were removed. Items most frequently included in the checklists related to sampling method, setting for data collection, method of data collection, respondent validation of findings, method of recording data, description of the derivation of themes and inclusion of supporting quotations. We grouped all items into three domains: (i) research team and reflexivity, (ii) study design and (iii) data analysis and reporting. The criteria included in COREQ, a 32-item checklist, can help researchers to report important aspects of the research team, study methods, context of the study, findings, analysis and interpretations.

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Impact of Internet Use on Loneliness and Contact with Others Among Older Adults: Cross-Sectional Analysis

Shelia Cotten, William A Anderson, Brandi McCullough (2013)

Background Older adults are at increased risk of experiencing loneliness and depression, particularly as they move into different types of care communities. Information and communication technology (ICT) usage may help older adults to maintain contact with social ties. However, prior research is not consistent about whether ICT use increases or decreases isolation and loneliness among older adults. Objective The purpose of this study was to examine how Internet use affects perceived social isolation and loneliness of older adults in assisted and independent living communities. We also examined the perceptions of how Internet use affects communication and social interaction. Methods One wave of data from an ongoing study of ICT usage among older adults in assisted and independent living communities in Alabama was used. Regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between frequency of going online and isolation and loneliness (n=205) and perceptions of the effects of Internet use on communication and social interaction (n=60). Results After controlling for the number of friends and family, physical/emotional social limitations, age, and study arm, a 1-point increase in the frequency of going online was associated with a 0.147-point decrease in loneliness scores (P=.005). Going online was not associated with perceived social isolation (P=.14). Among the measures of perception of the social effects of the Internet, each 1-point increase in the frequency of going online was associated with an increase in agreement that using the Internet had: (1) made it easier to reach people (b=0.508, P<.001), (2) contributed to the ability to stay in touch (b=0.516, P<.001), (3) made it easier to meet new people (b=0.297, P=.01, (4) increased the quantity of communication with others (b=0.306, P=.01), (5) made the respondent feel less isolated (b=0.491, P<.001), (6) helped the respondent feel more connected to friends and family (b=0.392, P=.001), and (7) increased the quality of communication with others (b=0.289, P=.01). Conclusions Using the Internet may be beneficial for decreasing loneliness and increasing social contact among older adults in assisted and independent living communities.

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The digitally engaged patient: Self-monitoring and self-care in the digital health era

Deborah Lupton (2013)

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Author and article information

Contributors

Andrea Glaessel:

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9199-3604

Institute of Health SciencesZurich University of Applied SciencesKatharina-Sulzer-Platz 9Winterthur, CH-8401Switzerland41 58 934 4397andrea.glaessel@zhaw.ch

Journal

Journal ID (nlm-ta): J Med Internet Res

Journal ID (iso-abbrev): J Med Internet Res

Journal ID (publisher-id): JMIR

Title: Journal of Medical Internet Research

Publisher: JMIR Publications (Toronto, Canada )

ISSN (Print): 1439-4456

ISSN (Electronic): 1438-8871

Publication date Collection: March 2021

Publication date (Electronic): 10 March 2021

Volume: 23

Issue: 3

Electronic Location Identifier: e24006

Affiliations

[1 ] Institute of Health Sciences Zurich University of Applied Sciences Winterthur Switzerland

[2 ] Research and Development in Occupational Therapy Zurich University of Applied Sciences Winterthur Switzerland

[3 ] Zveza društev upokojencev Slovenije (ZDUS) Ljubljana Slovenia

[4 ] SYNYO GmbH Vienna Austria

[5 ] Institute of Biomedical Ethics and History of Medicine University of Zurich Zurich Switzerland

Author notes

Corresponding Author: Andrea Glaessel andrea.glaessel@ 123456zhaw.ch

Author information

Verena Biehl https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0375-2238

Heidrun Becker https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9199-3604

Alenka Ogrin https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7305-5876

Alenka Reissner https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7178-9024

Johannes Burger https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5749-8781

Andrea Glaessel https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9199-3604

Article

Publisher ID: v23i3e24006

DOI: 10.2196/24006

PMC ID: 7991984

PubMed ID: 33688837

SO-VID: ff7a79c2-e816-416f-bcc2-91a68c7d3118

Copyright © ©Verena Biehl, Heidrun Becker, Alenka Ogrin, Alenka Reissner, Johannes Burger, Andrea Glaessel. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (http://www.jmir.org), 10.03.2021.

License:

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, is properly cited. The complete bibliographic information, a link to the original publication on http://www.jmir.org/, as well as this copyright and license information must be included.

History

Date received : 1 September 2020

Date revision requested : 20 September 2020

Date revision received : 1 November 2020

Date accepted : 15 January 2021

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