title: Wearable technologies in osteoarthritis: a qualitative study of clinicians' preferences.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigates clinicians' views of health-related wearable technologies in the context of supporting osteoarthritis (OA) long-term management. Clinicians' preferences are critical in identifying realistic implementation strategies for such technologies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative study incorporating an inductive thematic analysis applied to identify key themes from clinicians' responses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinicians, including 4 general practitioners, 4 physiotherapists and 5 orthopaedic surgeons were interviewed.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted in a University setting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants all agreed wearable technologies could positively complement their role and enhance their relationship with patients. Perceived benefits of wearable technologies included monitoring patients' progress, treatment evaluation, monitoring compliance and informing clinical decision-making. The device should be designed to provide objective data of patients' locomotion capability in an easy and timely fashion via a simple interface. Data should be available to both clinicians and patients to provide them with the motivation to achieve clinical goals and allow them to take ownership of their treatment. The use of technology was also seen as a way to more effectively plan treatment and manage patients' contact time saving time and cost.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings support the use of wearable technologies to enhance current OA management and suggest clinical uses. Adoption of technologies could have implications on the effectiveness of treatment provided overcoming current barriers, in particular compliance with treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Enrica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Papi
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, London, UK.
authors.forename: Ged M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Murtagh
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Alison H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: McGregor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D020811:Biomedical Technology; D058005:General Practitioners; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000379:methods*; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000628:therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D059825:Physical Therapists; D036301:Qualitative Research; D066231:Surgeons
keywords: Osteoarthritis; Rehabilitation; clinicians; interviews; wearable technology
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