MyGuide: Perceptions and Acceptance of an Online Concussion Self-Management Tool

Research Objectives: To investigate the perceptions and acceptance of clinicians and people with concussion using an online concussion self-management tool.

Design: Using a mixed-methods content analysis approach, we interviewed and analyzed responses from clients and clinicians who used the online self-management tool within the past 2 years. We also asked participants about their acceptability of the tool using the Health Information Technology Usability Evaluation Scale (Health-ITUES).

Setting: Participants were living in the community setting. All participants (clinicians and people with history of concussion) completed an online survey. Representative clinicians and people with concussion participated in a semi-structured interview via Zoom.

Participants: A total of 16 participants were included in this study, comprising of 8 people with concussion and 8 healthcare providers.

Interventions: N/A.

Main Outcome Measures: Qualitative data (semi-structured interviews) and quantitative questionnaire (Health Information Technology Usability Evaluation Scale (Health-ITUES)) was used to understand acceptance and perception of the MyGuide Tool for concussion management.

Results: Participants reported two key benefits of using the online self-management tool, namely, the tool’s emphasis on the interconnectedness of physical and psychological symptoms, and the ability to provide reassurance that symptoms being experienced were a normal part of the concussion experience. Clinicians described the tool as being useful as a supplementary source of information for clients in addition to clinical sessions, and believed the content was useful for increasing clients’ independence in managing their own recovery. People with concussion indicated that the using the tool early in their recovery was important as knowledge and information was most needed at that point. Some people with concussion described that the tool had reduced benefit as it was used too late in their concussion management. Rather than using the site regularly as a management tool, several people with concussion reported that they worked through the material once and didn’t refer to it afterwards.

Conclusions: Findings will provide insight into the acceptability and potential benefit of an online self-management tool in concussion rehabilitation and may provide important design considerations in this population.

Author(s) Disclosures: N/A.