Clinicians’ perspectives on procedures for implementing wearable movement sensors into primary care

Abstract

Canada’s 24-hour Movement Guidelines (24hrMG) are underutilized in health care. This study explored what type of wearable movement sensor (WMS) information would be best utilized by physicians, and what 24hrMG variables could be best integrated into primary care. Canadian physicians were included in this study (n=5). This study utilized a phenomenological approach to guide the research process. Virtual semi-structured interviews (~30 min) were conducted following an interview guide with 11 questions. Reflexive journalling was used throughout this study to record the principal investigator’s thoughts and decision making. The research supervisors acted as critical friends, providing feedback to improve trustworthiness. A thematic analysis of the data revealed three main themes: Benefits of WMS in Patient Care, Integration Considerations and Data Logistics. Benefits of WMS in Patient Care highlights the various benefits, presented as subthemes, that physicians believed WMS could provide to their patients in overall patient care. The subthemes of this theme include 24Hr MG, Target Population, Type of Monitoring, Pharmacare, and Empowerment. Integration Considerations considers the facilitators and barriers regarding WMS implementation into primary care from a physician’s perspective. The subthemes of facilitators of integration considerations include Current Use of RPM, Timeline and Lifestyle Management. The subthemes contributing to the barriers of WMS integration into primary care include Access, Education, and Lifestyle Management. Data Logistics encompasses the logistical aspect of obtaining WMS data from the perspective of a physician, with subthemes including Data Intake, Data Summary, Most Important Data, and Workload. In conclusion, for interested physicians, WMS provide an opportunity to enhance patient primary care with the 24hr MG mainly through objectively monitored time spent in moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity.