Medical device design for adolescent adherence and developmental goals: a case study of a cystic fibrosis physiotherapy device

Figures & data

Figure 1 Adolescent development from child to adult.

Figure 2 The acapella® physiotherapy device (Smiths Medical, St Paul, MN, USA).

Table 1 Participant details

Participant no	Sex	Age (years)	Accompanying person
1	M	20	Mother
2	F	20	Boyfriend
3	M	19	Alone
4	M	18	Alone
5	F	13	Mother
6	M	15	Stepfather
7	F	16	Mother
8	M	11	Father
9	M	16	Alone/mother
10	M	13	Father
11	M	11	Father
12	F	19	Boyfriend
13	F	20	Mother
14	M	17	Father
15	M	11	Grandmother
16	F	14	Sister
17	M	20	Alone
18	M	20	Alone
19	M	20	Father
20	F	19	Alone/boyfriend

Abbreviations: F, female; M, male.

Table 2 Interview schedule

Stage	Description	Materials
Pre-interview formalities	Researcher introduction and a verbal description of the research project and aims is given. Participant and guardian (if participant is under 16 years old) read information sheets. Questions invited from participants and guardians. Participants and guardians asked to fill in the informed consent and assent forms.	Participant information sheets and consent and assent forms.
Collection of participant background information	Questions asked to obtain participant information and background, specifically about experience of other airway devices.	Interview schedule. 3 × vignette posters per participant.
Review of acapella® device	Questions designed to critically assess the current acapella® device, with each patient using their experiences to discuss positive and negative aspects of the current design and to express their preferences.	Individual stationary packs, including a ballpoint pen, colored marker pens, and pencils.
Review and investigation of adolescent needs regarding use of medical device	Questions to encourage the participant to think expansively about design of their medical device and suggest ideas about how the acapella® device could better meet their own needs or the needs of adolescents in general. Pictorial vignettes of modified fictional acapella® designs were presented to participants as inspiration. It was explained that the images were “mock designs” that were developed from a previous study involving adolescent students in schools and not real devices. Participants were encouraged to think about their use of the device and how it fits in with their lives. During this exercise, participants were invited to illustrate their ideas on drawing boards or to brainstorm any of their thoughts.	Refreshments, water bottles, candies, and cookies. Audio recorder. Antiseptic wipes to clean clipboard at the end of each interview prior to the next participant.
Participants’ feedback about interview method	Questions designed to obtain feedback from the participants about their experiences during involvement in the research and of the methods used during the interview.
Interview close	Participants were asked if they had any queries regarding the interview or the study.

Note: Acapella®, Smiths Medical, St Paul, MN, USA.

Figure 3 Medical devices as facilitators for achievement of adolescent goals and adherence.