Grant: Summer Program in Aging

Managing the chronic effects of stroke (e.g., mobility issues, falls, pain, memory problems, depression) has become a global health priority due to its enormous burden on healthcare systems. A growing body of research supporting the effectiveness of self-management support interventions for stroke shows that they promote recovery and rehabilitation by helping people learn how to monitor their own condition and improve their quality of life. Unfortunately, due to limited healthcare budgets and unequal access to specialized, high-quality rehabilitation, few Canadians have the opportunity to participate in self-management support interventions after stroke. These issues could be addressed by developing mobile technology-based (e.g., smartphone app-based) interventions to increase access to timely, effective, and low-cost stroke self-management support. Despite the growing potential, need, and interest in virtual healthcare, relatively little is known about the development of such interventions, especially in relation to what would work from the perspectives of people with stroke, their caregivers, and healthcare providers. My doctoral research aims to address this gap by focusing on three objectives: (1) To identify the needs, preferences, and experiences of people with stroke and their caregivers related to mobile technology supported self-management; (2) To uncover the facilitators and barriers to use of this technology from the perspectives of people with stroke, caregivers, and healthcare providers; and (3) To develop a prototype for this technology in collaboration with people with stroke, caregivers, healthcare providers, and industry partners. To meet these objectives, I will conduct interviews, focus groups, and co-design workshops. This research holds great potential to improve access to rehabilitation, cost-effectiveness of care, and quality of life post-stroke.