A feasibility pilot using a mobile personal health assistant (PHA) app to assist stroke patient and caregiver communication after hospital discharge

A mobile application-based post-stroke care strategy for survivors and their caregivers for prevention and management of post-stroke complications - "Stroke Home Care:" Development and feasibility

Objectives

In developing nations such as India, a disparity exists between the available resources for stroke rehabilitation and the substantial burden of stroke cases. Consequently, the provision of cost-effective and multidisciplinary post-stroke rehabilitation care to stroke survivors becomes of paramount importance. The utilization of mobile applications (apps) for stroke care has been on the rise, offering a personalized and pragmatic solution with the potential for wider reach in settings constrained by limited resources. To address the unmet needs in the prevention and management of post-stroke complications, we conceptualized a strategy known as a mobile application-based post-stroke care strategy for both survivors and their caregivers.

Materials and Methods

The scope of the app's focus was determined based on the incidence of post-stroke complications within a prospective cohort of stroke patients, in conjunction with existing literature. An initial "web-based mobile app" prototype was crafted to align with the identified focus area. Before the development of the final app version, a feasibility study was conducted involving 30 participant dyads (comprising a patient and a caregiver). Content validity was evaluated by a panel of 20 stroke experts encompassing neurologists, nurses, physiotherapists, and psychologists.

Results

The "Stroke Home Care" (SHC) mobile app was conceived as a web-based educational tool aimed at preventing and managing post-stroke complications. It seeks to train caregivers of immobile stroke patients in the administration of preventive and therapeutic care procedures, thereby potentially enhancing survivors' quality of life and alleviating caregivers' burden. The feasibility and validity studies indicated "high satisfaction" levels among most caregivers and experts (>75%), with the remainder expressing "satisfaction" and no "dissatisfaction" regarding app utilities. Stroke experts unanimously deemed the app "appropriate", with consensus on contents, video quality, video length, and voice clarity. Caregivers reported "satisfactory" user experiences, encountering no issues during app installation or operation. Suggestions from both caregivers and experts were integrated into the final app version.

Conclusion

The "SHC" app represents a feasible and well-received innovation tailored for the use by caregivers of stroke survivors. Consequently, the initial feasibility of the developed app serves as a precursor to a randomized controlled clinical trial aimed at substantiating its effectiveness within the post-stroke survivor and caregiver population. Notably, within resource-constrained contexts, this app has the potential to be a pivotal tool for post-stroke care.

Australian general practitioners' views on qualities that make effective discharge communication: a scoping review

Transitions of patient care between hospital discharge and primary care are known to be an area of high-risk where communication is imperative for patient safety. Discharge summaries are known to often be incomplete, delayed and unhelpful for community healthcare providers. The aim of this review was to identify and map the literature which discusses Australian general practitioners' (GPs) views on the qualities that make up effective discharge communication. Medline, Scopus and the Cochrane register of controlled drug trails and systematic reviews were searched for publications until October 2021 that discussed Australian GPs' views on discharge communication from hospital to general practice. Of 1696 articles identified, 18 met inclusion and critical appraisal criteria. Five studies identified that GPs view timeliness of discharge summary receipt to be a problem. Communication of medication information in the discharge summary was discussed in six studies, with two reporting that GPs view reasons for medication changes to be essential. Five studies noted GPs would prefer to receive clinical discipline or diagnosis specific information. Four studies identified that GPs viewed the format and readability of discharge summaries to be problematic, with difficulties finding salient information. The findings of this scoping review indicate that GPs view timeliness, completeness, readability, medication related information and diagnosis/clinical discipline specific information to be qualities that make up effective discharge communication from hospital to the community. There are opportunities for further research in perspectives of effective discharge communication, and future studies on interventions to improve discharge communication, patient safety and policy in transfers of care.

Smartphone and mHealth Use After Stroke: Results From a Pilot Survey

Advances in smartphone technology have revolutionized health care providing innovative approaches to improve health and well-being. Emerging mobile health (mHealth) apps are becoming increasingly available and offer opportunities to support self-management needs in people with stroke; however, experiences with mHealth among this population are not well understood. The objective of this study is to conduct a cross-sectional survey on smartphone and mHealth app use for adults with stroke. A pilot survey of 50 adults with stroke was conducted. In all, 51% of respondents reported using their smartphone more frequently than before their stroke, and 91% reported having some degree of difficulty with its use. Respondents reported on specific challenges with app use and discussed desired content and features. Occupational therapists should familiarize themselves with valid, accessible, usable, and acceptable apps for people with stroke and consider implementing mHealth apps in self-management intervention plans to improve health, rehabilitation, and community integration outcomes in this population.

The use of health apps in primary care-results from a survey amongst general practitioners in Germany

Mass availability and use of health apps raises the question as to how they might be integrated into healthcare systems towards improving prevention and therapy. This study has researched prevailing opinion on health apps amongst primary care physicians, potential application areas physicians have seen in their experience with these apps up to now, and situations suitable for using apps in patient care. A total of 2138 primary care physicians in the state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, responded to an anonymised written survey between March and June 2020. Physicians with a positive opinion (36%) emphasised motivation and compliance as advantages, whereas sceptical respondents (43%) expressed suspicion regarding data privacy and reliability as well as legal issues and additional workload arising from using the apps. Even so, a clear majority accepted the potential benefit from sensible use of health apps with features providing prevention and lifestyle support (90/76%). With respect to patients using the apps, 54% of respondents saw a positive contribution to healthcare and/or recovery. Despite the perceived benefits of health apps, general practitioners are still reluctant to bring up or recommend health apps in their consultations. Many physicians do not feel capable of giving expert advice to patients on the apps available. Many general practitioners are aware of the potential that health apps may have in improving prevention and treatment. However, there are reservations and uncertainties regarding clarity, transparency, and privacy issues in these apps. More focus should be placed on these concerns to ensure ideal conditions for integrating health apps into primary care.

mHealth Intervention Applications for Adults Living With the Effects of Stroke: A Scoping Review

Objective

To conduct a scoping review of mobile health (mHealth) application (app) interventions to support needs of adults living with the effects of stroke reported in the literature.

Data Sources

PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Scopus were systematically searched for peer-reviewed publications. Articles were published between January 2007 and September 2020 and met predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Study Selection

Articles included were written in English language, involved adults older than 18 years, and described an mHealth app specifically tested and/or developed as an intervention for someone with stroke to be used remotely and/or independently without constant provider supervision or assistance. Articles were excluded if they focused on acute management of stroke only, focused on primary prevention, were animal studies, were not an app for smartphone or tablet, and did not describe an empirical study.

Data Extraction

Two researchers independently screened titles and abstracts for inclusion. The full-text articles were then reviewed for eligibility by the research team. Data were extracted and verified by a third reviewer.

Data Synthesis

The search yielded 2123 studies and 49 were included for data extraction. The findings reveal that a global surge of studies on mHealth apps for people with stroke have emerged within the past 2 years. Most studies were developed for persons with stroke in the United States and the primary content foci included upper extremity function (31.5%); lower extremity function (5.3%); general exercise, physical activity, and/or functional mobility (23.7%); trunk control (5.3%); medical management and secondary prevention (26.3%); language and speech skills (20.5%); cognitive skills (7.9%); general disability and activities of daily living (5.3%); and home safety (2.6%). Of the included studies, a majority were preliminary in nature, with 36.7% being categorized as pilot or feasibility trials and 24.4% discussing initial design, development, and/or refinement.

Conclusions

Results from this study reveal that the number of apps specifically developed for people with stroke and described in the scientific literature are growing exponentially. The apps have widely varied content to meet the needs of persons with stroke; however, the studies are generally preliminary in nature, focusing on development, usability, and initial pilot testing. This review highlights the need for additional research and development of mHealth apps targeted for adults with stroke. Development should consider the various and complex needs of people living with the effects of chronic stroke, while large-scale trials are needed to build on the existing evidence.

Sexual Identity and Racial/Ethnic Differences in Awareness of Heart Attack and Stroke Symptoms: Findings From the National Health Interview Survey

PURPOSE

Investigate sexual identity and racial/ethnic differences in awareness of heart attack and stroke symptoms.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

SETTING

2014 and 2017 National Health Interview Survey.

SAMPLE

54 326 participants.

MEASURES

Exposure measures were sexual identity (heterosexual, gay/lesbian, bisexual, "something else") and race/ethnicity. Awareness of heart attack and stroke symptoms was assessed.

ANALYSIS

Sex-stratified logistic regression analyses to examine sexual identity and racial/ethnic differences in awareness of heart attack and stroke symptoms.

RESULTS

Gay men were more likely than heterosexual men to identify calling 911 as the correct action if someone is having a heart attack (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.18-3.96). The majority of racial/ethnic minority heterosexuals reported lower rates of awareness of heart attack and stroke symptoms than White heterosexuals. Hispanic sexual minority women had lower awareness of heart attack symptoms than White heterosexual women (AOR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.25-0.74), whereas Asian sexual minority women reported lower awareness of stroke symptoms (AOR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.08-0.80). Hispanic (AOR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.33-0.84) and Asian (AOR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.14-0.84) sexual minority men reported lower awareness of stroke symptoms than White heterosexual men.

CONCLUSION

Hispanic and Asian sexual minorities had lower rates of awareness of heart attack and stroke symptoms. Health information technology may be a platform for delivering health education and targeted health promotion for sexual minorities of color.

Gesundheits-Apps als Instrumente der Prävention? – Eine Interviewstudie zu Potenzialen für das hausärztliche Setting

Hintergrund

Angesichts massenhafter Verfügbarkeit und Nutzung von Gesundheits-Apps stellt sich die Frage, wie diese sich so ins Gesundheitswesen integrieren lassen, dass positive Effekte bei Prävention und Therapie erzielt werden können. Die Hausarztmedizin ist ein vielversprechendes Anwendungsgebiet.

Ziel der Arbeit

Die Studie geht der Frage nach, welche Sichtweisen Hausärzte in Bezug auf Gesundheits-Apps vertreten. Neben der Akzeptanz und wahrgenommenen Einsatzpotenzialen werden bisherige Erfahrungen mit Apps in der Patientenversorgung beleuchtet. Ebenso wird eruiert, welche Hindernisse bei der Nutzbarmachung von Apps bestehen.

Material und Methoden

Im Zuge qualitativer Interviews wurden zwischen Juli und Oktober 2019 insgesamt 35 Hausärzte in Hessen befragt.

Ergebnisse

Positiv eingestellte Ärzte heben Motivations- und Compliance-Vorteile aufgrund einer App-Nutzung hervor; skeptische Ärzte sind misstrauisch in Bezug auf Datensicherheit, das ordnungsgemäße Funktionieren von Apps und rechtliche Fragestellungen bei der Einbeziehung solcher Programme. Zudem besteht die Sorge vor einer Mehrbelastung. Gleichwohl nehmen die meisten Interviewten einen Nutzen von Gesundheits-Apps wahr, wenn es um präventions-, erinnerungs- und lebensstilunterstützende Funktionen geht. Eine Mehrheit wünscht sich verbindliche Datenschutz- und Qualitätsstandards, eine klare Rechtslage in Bezug auf die App-Anwendung und Tools, die einen Überblick verfügbarer Apps ermöglichen.

Diskussion

Hausärzte sind sich der positiven Beiträge, die Gesundheits-Apps im Bereich der Gesundheitsvorsorge haben können, bewusst. Allerdings bestehen Vorbehalte und Unsicherheiten hinsichtlich der Überschaubarkeit, Transparenz und Sicherheit von Apps. Diese Bedenken sollten adressiert werden, um Voraussetzungen für eine erfolgreiche Integration von Gesundheits-Apps in die allgemeinärztliche Versorgung zu schaffen.

Social work support and unmet social needs in life after stroke: a cross-sectional exploratory study

BACKGROUND

Stroke patients are often affected by long-term disabilities with needs concerning social issues. There is relatively little consideration of social recovery of patients and the support required to return to work, receive social benefits, participate in daily life activities, maintain contact with family and friends and to organize financial affairs. In our study we aimed to investigate if existing tools record social needs adequately. We analyzed the current provision of social support provided in long-term care after stroke and whether unmet social needs were associated with quality of life, caregiver burden, overall function and degree of disability.

METHODS

Our analysis is part of the Managing Aftercare of Stroke study (MAS-I), a cross-sectional exploratory study of patient needs 2-3 years after initial stroke. Assessment tools included the Nikolaus-score (social situation), the EuroQoL (quality of life), the German Burden Scale for Family Caregivers (caregiver burden), the modified Rankin Scale (disability / dependence), Stroke Impact Scale (function and degree of disability) and the Stroke Survivor Needs Questionnaire (unmet needs).

RESULTS

Overall 57 patients were included in MAS-I, with ten patients classified in urgent need of socio-economic support according to the Nikolaus-score. Patients with lower than normal Nikolaus-score had a higher degree of disability. Thirty percent of all patients had never received professional social support. Social worker contact happened mostly during the stay in acute hospital or rehabilitation institution. Only four patients (11%) reported long-term support after discharge. Apart from social worker contact during acute care, 43% of patients had unmet needs in the long-term aftercare. Forty percent of all patients included in MAS-I were recommended for social work intervention after an in-depth analysis of their situation. Finally, we saw that unmet social needs were associated with lower quality of life and higher caregiver burden.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest significant unmet needs in social care in long-term stroke patients. Screening tools for unmet social needs such as the Nikolaus-score do not holistically report patients' needs.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.Gov NCT02320994 . Registered 19 December 2014 (retrospectively registered).

Exploring the perspectives of stroke survivors and healthcare professionals on the use of mobile health to promote physical activity: A qualitative study protocol

Background: Physical inactivity is both the second-highest population attributable risk factor for and a common consequence of stroke. Despite well-documented health benefits associated with physical activity, its levels typically remain below recommended guidelines in stroke survivors. Consequently, calls have been made for novel interventions targeting the promotion of physical activity in stroke survivors. Mobile health is an emerging field which can offer personalised health interventions through mobile and wireless technology. However, a paucity of research has focused on mobile health to promote physical activity in stroke survivors and, more broadly, this field has been criticised for not incorporating the views of stakeholders. This study aims to explore the perspectives of stroke survivors and healthcare professionals on the development of a mobile health intervention for the promotion of physical activity. Methods: The current study will employ a qualitative descriptive approach using separate, semi-structured focus groups for two key stakeholder groups. Community-dwelling stroke survivors will be recruited through an early supported discharge service for acute stroke and stroke support groups. Healthcare professionals will be recruited through the same early supported discharge service, relevant professional bodies and Twitter. The final number of focus groups will depend on data saturation. Thematic analysis will be conducted using NVivo 12 and findings will be reported in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies. Conclusion: This study was granted ethical approval from the HSE Mid-Western Regional Hospital Research Ethics Committee and the Faculty of Education and Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee at the University of Limerick. Output will consist of recommendations for the development of a mobile health intervention aimed at the promotion of physical activity in stroke survivors. Findings will be disseminated locally through presentations at stroke support groups, as well as internationally through academic conferences and peer-reviewed journals.

Identifying unmet needs in long-term stroke care using in-depth assessment and the Post-Stroke Checklist - The Managing Aftercare for Stroke (MAS-I) study

Introduction

Detailed data on the long-term consequences and treatment of stroke are scarce. We aimed to assess the needs and disease burden of community-dwelling stroke patients and their carers and to compare their treatment to evidence-based guidelines by a stroke neurologist.

Methods

We invited long-term stroke patients from two previous acute clinical studies (n = 516) in Berlin, Germany to participate in an observational, cross-sectional study. Participants underwent a comprehensive interview and examination using the Post-Stroke Checklist and validated standard measures of: self-reported needs, quality of life, overall outcome, spasticity, pain, aphasia, cognition, depression, secondary prevention, social needs and caregiver burden.

Results

Fifty-seven participants (median initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 10 interquartile range 4-12.75) consented to assessment (median 41 months (interquartile range 36-50) after stroke. Modified Rankin Scale was 2 (median; interquartile range 1-3), EuroQoL index value was 0.81 (median; interquartile range 0.70-1.00). The frequencies for disabilities in the major domains were: spasticity 35%; cognition 61%; depression 20%; medication non-compliance 14%. Spasticity (p = 0.008) and social needs (p < 0.001) had the strongest impact on quality of life. The corresponding items in the Post-Stroke Checklist were predictive for low mood (p < 0.001), impaired cognition (p = 0.015), social needs (p = 0.005) and caregiver burden (p = 0.031). In the comprehensive interview, we identified the following needs: medical review (30%), optimization of pharmacotherapy (18%), outpatient therapy (47%) and social work input (33%).

Conclusion

These results suggest significant unmet needs and gaps in health and social care in long-term stroke patients. Further research to develop a comprehensive model for managing stroke aftercare is warranted.Clinical Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov NCT02320994.