P90 Acceptability and feasibility pilot of co-designed telehealth physiotherapy interventions for children with asthma and dysfunctional breathing

Abstract

IntroductionRespiratory physiotherapists aim to identify and treat contributory causes of poor asthma control, including dysfunctional breathing which impacts quality-of-life and symptoms. In the post-COVID-19 era new technologies are needed to deliver telemedicine. Before embedding health delivery transformations, it is essential to involve children and young people (CYP) and their carers to gain insight into their priorities in engaging with healthcare.ObjectivesTo co-design tele-physiotherapy services and online resources in partnership with CYP with asthma;to pilot the acceptability and feasibility of these interventions.MethodsCYP were recruited from a severe asthma clinic. Phase I: Co-design online resources and hybrid physiotherapy clinics. Phase II: Pilot tele-physiotherapy clinics via Attend Anywhere video platform and novel resources. Acceptability was assessed using electronic questionnaires and semi-structured interviews to service users and providers. Operational feasibility was analysed using website traffic data and hybrid clinic attendance.ResultsPhase I: Eight CYP and their families and 11 team members were recruited to co-design prototype solutions including seven educational online videos and downloadable resources (https://bit.ly/3udKqFU), the development of a new webpage, ‘Asthma Kids’ on the platform www.beamfeelgood.com including patient and parent blogs, and a live online 12-week program.Phase II: 25 CYP aged 7–16 were recruited into the pilot. All completed the course with no adverse events. 18/25 (72%) created profiles on Asthma Kids to join live group classes, watch on-demand videos or pre-set physiotherapy programmes. RBHT website videos had 296 views.Across 32 clinics, 94 physiotherapy consultations took place – 27 in-hospital and 67 virtual. 42% of CYP were not brought to virtual appointments compared to 20% for in-hospital ones. Of those who attended virtually, half experienced technical difficulties on the Attend Anywhere platform. Problems included poor signal, difficulties logging in and difficulty seeing patients using mobiles. Questionnaires showed service users and providers all recommended Asthma Kids and RBHT website resources, found hybrid tele-physiotherapy clinics accessible and flexible, however wanted the choice of in-hospital appointments.ConclusionCo-designed novel telehealth physiotherapy resources are easy for service users and providers to use. Hybrid tele-physiotherapy clinics offer choice, but experiences frequent technical issues and in-hospital appointments remain better attended.Please refer to page A214 for declarations of interest related to this .