User-Centered Value Specifications for Technologies Supporting Chronic Low-Back Pain Management

Stud Health Technol Inform. 2019 Aug 21:264:1288-1292. doi: 10.3233/SHTI190434.

Abstract

Low-back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability globally. It is complex and multifactorial, with a miriad of factors interwining and interacting to burden healthcare and individuals. Self-management support is central as part of best-practice to improve outcomes. In recent years, informatics has increasingly been considered to support care; however, due to its complex nature, several factors need to be unpacked in order to consider how technologies might support LBP. The present study utilised semi-structured interviews involving N = 20 participants (n = 10 practicing clinicains and n = 10 indidivuals living with chronic LBP (cLBP)) to collect user-centered perceptions and considerations for key factors central to technology succeeding in supporting cLBP. Six themes were identified: tracking, alterts, user-experience, communication, feedback, and content. Findings lay groundwork for future research aimed at developing technologies that can encourage shared-decision making in supporting cLBP management in a particpatory health paradigm.

Keywords: Informatics; Low Back Pain; Self-Management.

MeSH terms

  • Chronic Pain*
  • Communication
  • Decision Making
  • Humans
  • Low Back Pain*
  • Pain Management
  • Self-Management*