myHealthHub for older adult inpatients to reduce loneliness, and improve patient engagement and mental health: protocol of a pilot randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objectives

Older Canadian adults make up 85% of hospital stays which are associated with increased loneliness, stress, anxiety, and/or depression. There is a need for novel approaches to reduce loneliness and mental health outcomes in older adult hospital inpatients to prevent further strain on an already overwhelmed healthcare system.

Methods

This is a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) exploring the efficacy of a bedside multimodal interaction system, myHealthHub, on loneliness, quality of life (QOL), patient engagement, and other mental health outcomes compared to an active control group in older adult inpatients (n = 60) from baseline to 5-days. Qualitative analyses will be conducted through semi-structured interviews with older adults (n = 8-10) and hospital staff, nurses, and clinicians (n = 4-5) facilitating the service to evaluate patient engagement and experience with myHealthHub.

Results

Not applicable.

Conclusion

This novel pilot clinical trial will obtain preliminary data on the efficacy of myHealthHub in reducing loneliness, QOL, patient engagement, and mental health outcomes in older adult inpatients. If successful, this could provide a potential means to improve patient experience in hospitals and reduce the burden and additional expense on the healthcare system.

Keywords:

• Older adults
• digital technology
• loneliness
• stress
• anxiety
• depression
• hospital inpatients

Author contributions

SR, HS, KB, and JG had substantial contribution to the conception and design of the RCT; SNB is responsible for the qualitative section, KB and DD were responsible for the writing of this manuscript; All authors revised the manuscript and gave final approval of the version to be published and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure statement

KB received a Canada Graduate Scholarship SSHRC MSc Award, and McGill Faculty of Medicine Internal Studentship. SR receives a salary award from the Fonds de recherche du Québec—Santé (FRQS), receives grant funding from Mitacs, is on a steering committee for Abbvie, and owns shares of Aifred Health. HS has a CIHR fellowship award, MITACS fellowship award, and AGE-WELL award. No other conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by MITACS fellowship award.