Optimising the development of sustainable internet-based occupational therapy interventions: Important key actions and perspectives to consider

Abstract

Background

By examining the health needs of the general population and utilising the potential of digitalisation as a driving force, new internet-based services need to be developed in occupational therapy. However, existing guidelines for the development of complex interventions provide scant information on how to develop internet-based interventions.

Aim

The aim of this paper is to share experiences and illustrate important key actions and new perspectives to consider during the innovation process of developing and designing an internet-based occupational therapy intervention.

Method and Materials

International guidelines for intervention development was reviewed to add important perspectives in the innovation process.

Results

The illustration focuses on five key actions in the development phase to highlight new perspectives and questions important to consider when designing new internet-based occupational therapy interventions.

Conclusion

The new perspectives can complement existing guidelines to enhance the development of more effective and sustainable internet-based interventions.

Significance

The illustration provided has potential to improve the sustainability in innovation processes of new internet-based occupational therapy interventions.

Keywords:

• Activities of daily living
• chronic condition
• complex interventions
• digital health
• e-health
• Innovation
• intervention development
• neurology
• prevention
• rehabilitation
• tele-health

Acknowledgement

We are grateful for the valuable contribution of the occupational therapists at Sunderby Hospital, Paramedicine and Rehabilitation Medicine, and at the Primary Health Care in Luleå and their managers, when the SEE intervention was developed. We thank Alexandra Olofsson PhD and OT, Luleå University of Technology (LTU), for her contribution in research that formed the basis of SEE. We also thank Monika Lindberg PhD student and OT, Maria Ranner, PhD and OT, and Carina Karlsson, MsC and OT, all at LTU, for support during the development of material related to the application of SEE. The authors are also grateful to Catharina Nordin, PhD and PT at Region Norrbotten, for support with applying and administrating SEE in the Swedish 1177 Health care guide.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The development phase of SEE was supported by grants from The Swedish Stroke Association, Stroke Research in Norrland, The Norrbacka-Eugenia Foundation and Swedish Association of Occupational Therapists.