Co-design of a digital solution for total hip and knee arthroplasty journey: A case study

Authors

• Miia Jansson Research Unit of Health Sciences and Technology (HST), University of Oulu; Oulu University Hospital, Oulu
• Heidi Similä VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Oulu
• Marja Harjumaa VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Oulu; Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Oulu, Oulu
• Jonna Koivisto Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere
• Kadri Haljas Triumf Research, Tartu
• Markus Lind Buddy Healthcare Ltd Oy, Helsinki
• Riitta Laitala Division of Operative Care, Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu
• Ari-Pekka Puhto Oys Musculoskeletal Surgery Centre, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu
• Minna Pikkarainen Research Group of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology & Martti Ahtisaari Institute, Oulu Business School, University of Oulu, Oulu; VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Oulu

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23996/fjhw.131314

Keywords:

digital care pathways, telemedicine, tertiary healthcare, secondary care

Abstract

End-users’ involvement is crucial to develop human-centered solutions; patient acceptance and endorsement by clinicians will be achieved when the features of digital solutions align with their needs and expectations.

The aim of the study was to develop the overall concept of digital solution to increase transparency, foster patient adherence, and improve patient-provider communication across the entire total hip and knee arthroplasty journey from admission to discharge, and beyond.

Two-stage iterative co-design process was used. Systematic literature reviews and qualitative interviews were conducted to understand the problem. In addition, co-creation sessions were used develop the solution for a reference implementation.

As a result, a total of 19 technical and functional requirements were identified. In addition, ten additional functional requirements were identified for future design. The results demonstrate the overall concept of a digital solution for the reference implementation. The uniqueness of the solution lies in the vision of wider integrated systems, which could offer a clinical platform for clinicians to provide patient-focused care remotely, while monitoring patients’ progress closely.