Barriers and Enablers to the Use of Web-Based Applications for Older Adults and Their Caregivers Post-Hip Fracture Surgery: A Descriptive Qualitative Study

Chantal Backman,1– 3 Steve Papp,4,5 Anne Harley,5,6 Sandra Houle,7 Yeabsira Mamo,1 Stephane Poitras,7 Soha Shah,5,6 Randa Berdusco,4,5 Paul E Beaulé,4,5 Veronique French-Merkley5,6 1School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada; 2Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada; 3Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada; 4Department of Orthopaedics, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada; 5Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada; 6Geriatric Rehabilitation, Bruyère Continuing Care, Ottawa, Canada; 7Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, CanadaCorrespondence: Chantal Backman, 451, Smyth Road, RGN 3239, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada, Tel +1 613-562-5800 ext. 8418, Email chantal.backman@uottawa.caPurpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the barriers and enablers to the use of web-based applications designed to help manage the personalized needs of older adults and their caregivers post-hip fracture surgery while transitioning from hospital to geriatric rehabilitation to home.Methods: This was a descriptive qualitative study consisting of semi-structured interviews informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework. The study took place between March 2021 and April 2022 on an orthopaedic unit in a large academic health sciences centre and in a geriatric rehabilitation service in Ontario, Canada. The transcripts were analyzed using a systematic 6-step approach.Results: Interviews were conducted with older adults (n = 10) and with caregivers (n = 8) post-hip fracture surgery. A total of 21 barriers and 24 enablers were identified. The top two barriers were a need for basic computer skills (n = 11, 61.1%) and a preference for direct verbal communication (n = 10, 55.6%). The top two enablers were having no concerns with using web-based applications (n = 12, 66.7%) and having ease of access to information (n = 10, 55.6%).Conclusion: We described the key barriers and enablers to the use of web-based applications from the perspectives of older adults and their caregivers. These factors will inform further developments of web-based applications aimed at improving the care transition from hospital to geriatric rehabilitation to home post-hip fracture surgery.Keywords: hip fracture, digital health intervention, web-based application, TDF, older adults