Stakeholders' Experiences Using Videoconferencing for a Group-Based Stroke Intervention During COVID-19: A Thematic Analysis

Abstract

Importance: Guidance is limited for training protocols that support stakeholders who are new to participating in telerehabilitation interventions using videoconferencing software.

Objective: To explore stakeholders' experiences participating in a group-based intervention during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic using a videoconferencing software (Zoom).

Design: Ad hoc exploratory thematic analysis.

Setting: Community-based telerehabilitation.

Participants: Stakeholders included group members (n = 8) who were low-income adults with chronic stroke (≥3 mo) and mild to moderate disability (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale ≤ 16), group leaders (n = 4), and study staff (n = 4).

Intervention: Group-based intervention, ENGAGE, delivered using videoconferencing technology. ENGAGE blends social learning and guided discovery to facilitate community and social participation.

Outcomes and measures: Semistructured interviews.

Results: Stakeholders included group members (ages 26-81 yr), group leaders (ages 32-71 yr), and study staff (ages 23-55 yr). Group members characterized ENGAGE as learning, doing, and connecting with others who shared their experience. Stakeholders identified social advantages and disadvantages to the videoconferencing environment. Attitudes toward technology, past technology experiences, the amount of time allotted for training, group size, physical environments, navigation of technology disruptions, and design of the intervention workbook were facilitators for some and barriers for others. Social support facilitated technology access and intervention engagement. Stakeholders recommended training structure and content.

Conclusions and relevance: Tailored training protocols may support stakeholders who are participating in telerehabilitation interventions using new software or devices. Future studies that identify specific tailoring variables will advance the development of telerehabilitation training protocols. What This Article Adds: These findings provide stakeholder-identified barriers and facilitators, in addition to stakeholder-informed recommendations, for technology training protocols that may support uptake of telerehabilitation in occupational therapy.