Developing a Telerehabilitation Program for Older Veterans
Author Information
Author(s): Michelle Rauzi, Jennifer Stevens-Lapsley
Primary Institution: Department of Veterans Affairs, Aurora, Colorado, United States
Hypothesis
Can a mixed methods approach improve the development and implementation of a telerehabilitation program for older veterans with multiple chronic conditions?
Conclusion
Using mixed methods approaches for intervention development accelerated our research and will help enhance future implementation efforts.
Supporting Evidence
- The program's initial implementation and evaluation were supported by findings from the first stage.
- The feasibility of the program for veterans aged 50 and older with multiple medical conditions was confirmed in the second stage.
- Adaptations to the program were made based on insights from the second stage to improve recruitment and technology integration.
- The randomized feasibility study in stage 3 showed the program's feasibility and safety for older and physically impaired participants.
- Higher technology engagement was linked to greater improvements in physical activity among participants.
Takeaway
This study created a program to help older veterans with health issues use technology for rehabilitation, and it found that understanding why some people don't use the technology can help make it better.
Methodology
The study used a multi-stage mixed methods design including exploratory and explanatory sequential designs.
Participant Demographics
Older veterans, specifically those aged 50 years and older with at least 3 medical conditions.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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