Implementation of TRAK intervention to enable eRehab. Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Implementation and evaluation of TRAK, a web-based approach to support self-management rehabilitation of knee conditions
IRAS ID
179739
Contact name
Kate Button
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff & Vale University Health Board
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
Musculoskeletal conditions are extremely common accounting for 30% of patient consultations within General Practice; knee conditions are most common and substantially affect mobility and quality of life. Physiotherapy is recommended but to cope with rapidly increasing demands for long-term condition management new approaches are required. Web-based interventions such as supported online self-management are becoming popular.
We developed TRAK, an application suite, for online treatment, which provides a patient-focused approach to share expert information and exercise prescription. Its usability and acceptability were evaluated on a group of patients and clinicians. We analysed their opinions on the extent to which TRAK could support face-to-face appointments with a physiotherapist and extracted six main themes: facilitating communication, improved understanding, information provision, support for self-management, enabling progression and recalling information. Based on the overwhelmingly positive, it is now time to implement this online intervention into the routine healthcare practice within Cardiff & Vale University Health Board and evaluate its effectiveness in terms of service delivery.
This novel intervention will be evaluated to assess the impact of implementation on the organisation (e.g. clinician decision making), on the service user (e.g. experience and needs) and on patient outcome (e.g. symptoms and function). Phase 1 of the study will involve a group of patient participants and physiotherapists using the TRAK application for 1 month. They will have access to all features of TRAK to help them manage their condition. All participants will regularly provide feedback on their experiences and log questions they encounter. A subset of patients and clinicians will be asked to share their experiences in semi structured interviews, which will evaluate factors relating to use, learning, uptake and needs. Phase 2 will be broader implementation of TRAK as a twelve week intervention to evaluate the impact on patient outcomes and sustainability.
REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
15/WA/0147
Date of REC Opinion
29 Apr 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion