Stepping toward implementation using co-design: development of hospital protocols and resources for using wearable activity trackers in a hospital service

IntroductionLow levels of patient physical activity during a hospital stay are linked to a variety of poor outcomes. Wearable activity trackers can help to boost patient activity and improve other outcomes during a hospitalisation, but a range of implementation barriers exist. Co-design research met...

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Main Authors: Kimberley Szeto, Aaron Davis, John Arnold, Ian Gwilt, Aislin Forrest, Isaac Heyne, Anthony Hewitt, Peter Diestel-Feddersen, Dominique Edwards, Ben Singh, Carol Maher
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Digital Health
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2025.1520991/full
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author Kimberley Szeto
Aaron Davis
Aaron Davis
John Arnold
Ian Gwilt
Aislin Forrest
Isaac Heyne
Anthony Hewitt
Peter Diestel-Feddersen
Dominique Edwards
Ben Singh
Carol Maher
author_facet Kimberley Szeto
Aaron Davis
Aaron Davis
John Arnold
Ian Gwilt
Aislin Forrest
Isaac Heyne
Anthony Hewitt
Peter Diestel-Feddersen
Dominique Edwards
Ben Singh
Carol Maher
author_sort Kimberley Szeto
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionLow levels of patient physical activity during a hospital stay are linked to a variety of poor outcomes. Wearable activity trackers can help to boost patient activity and improve other outcomes during a hospitalisation, but a range of implementation barriers exist. Co-design research methodologies provide opportunities to bridge evidence-practice gaps, such as the implementation of wearable activity trackers to promote patient activity, by developing solutions and strategies in collaboration with key stakeholders. This co-design study aimed to develop a protocol and resources to support the implementation of wearable activity trackers into a rehabilitation service at a South Australian hospital.MethodsThree co-design workshops that employed an involvement partnership with 26 rehabilitation clinicians were conducted. User journey storyboards, empathy maps, and world café activities were used to understand processes of using technology with patients in the hospital, identify protocol components for using WATs, and create resources to support its implementation.ResultsUsing a co-design approach, this study developed a protocol for using WATs in a hospital rehabilitation services, identified key themes underpinning its implementation, and created a set of resources to support its delivery.DiscussionThis study identified key elements to support implementation of WATs in hospital rehabilitation, and expands the evidence base for using co-design approaches in health research, and may support WAT implementation in other settings.
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spelling doaj-art-0c2617b83c074d2ab1ff08b1537e3d242025-08-20T02:56:36ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Digital Health2673-253X2025-03-01710.3389/fdgth.2025.15209911520991Stepping toward implementation using co-design: development of hospital protocols and resources for using wearable activity trackers in a hospital serviceKimberley Szeto0Aaron Davis1Aaron Davis2John Arnold3Ian Gwilt4Aislin Forrest5Isaac Heyne6Anthony Hewitt7Peter Diestel-Feddersen8Dominique Edwards9Ben Singh10Carol Maher11Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, AustraliaAlliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, AustraliaAustralian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments (IVE), University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, AustraliaAlliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, AustraliaAustralian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments (IVE), University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, AustraliaAlliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, AustraliaAlliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, AustraliaDivision of Rehabilitation, Aged and Palliative Care, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, SA, AustraliaDivision of Rehabilitation, Aged and Palliative Care, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, SA, AustraliaDivision of Rehabilitation, Aged and Palliative Care, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, SA, AustraliaAlliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, AustraliaAlliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, AustraliaIntroductionLow levels of patient physical activity during a hospital stay are linked to a variety of poor outcomes. Wearable activity trackers can help to boost patient activity and improve other outcomes during a hospitalisation, but a range of implementation barriers exist. Co-design research methodologies provide opportunities to bridge evidence-practice gaps, such as the implementation of wearable activity trackers to promote patient activity, by developing solutions and strategies in collaboration with key stakeholders. This co-design study aimed to develop a protocol and resources to support the implementation of wearable activity trackers into a rehabilitation service at a South Australian hospital.MethodsThree co-design workshops that employed an involvement partnership with 26 rehabilitation clinicians were conducted. User journey storyboards, empathy maps, and world café activities were used to understand processes of using technology with patients in the hospital, identify protocol components for using WATs, and create resources to support its implementation.ResultsUsing a co-design approach, this study developed a protocol for using WATs in a hospital rehabilitation services, identified key themes underpinning its implementation, and created a set of resources to support its delivery.DiscussionThis study identified key elements to support implementation of WATs in hospital rehabilitation, and expands the evidence base for using co-design approaches in health research, and may support WAT implementation in other settings.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2025.1520991/fullco-designwearable activity trackerhospitalhealthcarerehabilitationphysical activity
spellingShingle Kimberley Szeto
Aaron Davis
Aaron Davis
John Arnold
Ian Gwilt
Aislin Forrest
Isaac Heyne
Anthony Hewitt
Peter Diestel-Feddersen
Dominique Edwards
Ben Singh
Carol Maher
Stepping toward implementation using co-design: development of hospital protocols and resources for using wearable activity trackers in a hospital service
Frontiers in Digital Health
co-design
wearable activity tracker
hospital
healthcare
rehabilitation
physical activity
title Stepping toward implementation using co-design: development of hospital protocols and resources for using wearable activity trackers in a hospital service
title_full Stepping toward implementation using co-design: development of hospital protocols and resources for using wearable activity trackers in a hospital service
title_fullStr Stepping toward implementation using co-design: development of hospital protocols and resources for using wearable activity trackers in a hospital service
title_full_unstemmed Stepping toward implementation using co-design: development of hospital protocols and resources for using wearable activity trackers in a hospital service
title_short Stepping toward implementation using co-design: development of hospital protocols and resources for using wearable activity trackers in a hospital service
title_sort stepping toward implementation using co design development of hospital protocols and resources for using wearable activity trackers in a hospital service
topic co-design
wearable activity tracker
hospital
healthcare
rehabilitation
physical activity
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2025.1520991/full
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