Capturing patients' daily life experiences after Total Hip Replacement

Abstract

Context-aware technology in the home environment can provide an effective mechanism in supporting the wellbeing and autonomy of the elderly challenged by chronic diseases and physical impairments, such as osteoarthritis. Total Hip Replacement (THR) is the most common procedure to relieve both pain and functional disability experienced by elderly patients suffering from end-stage osteoarthritis, thereby improving their quality of life. The paradigm shift in healthcare on shortening in-hospital care has created an atmosphere of misinformation for both the patient and the medical staff about individual patterns of recovery, creating uncertainty about patients' recovery outcomes. This paper presents work on applying User Centred Design methods (UCD) to inform the design of a qualitative measure which will be used as a means to reduce the lack of information around the patient. The described design process elicits functional system requirements, and guides the design of a qualitative measure based on Experience Sampling Method (ESM). The ESM tool will be used to improve and expand the understanding of elderly patient's living experiences after discharge.