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  • Patient and practitioner perspectives on the design of a simulated affective touch device to reduce procedural anxiety associated with radiotherapy: a qualitative study

Hall, Hugo ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5145-8412, Dhuga, Yasmin, Zheng, Caroline Yan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5277-3863, Clunie, Gemma ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1796-731X, Joyce, Elizabeth, McNair, Helen and McGregor, Alison H, 2022, Journal Article, Patient and practitioner perspectives on the design of a simulated affective touch device to reduce procedural anxiety associated with radiotherapy: a qualitative study BMJ open, 12 (3). pp. 1-8. ISSN 2044-6055

Abstract or Description:

Objective: The aim of this study was to elicit the views of relevant stakeholders on the design of a device using simulated affective touch to reduce procedural anxiety surrounding radiotherapy and imaging.

Design: This qualitative study collected data from focus groups which were then analysed using inductive thematic analysis in line with Braun and Clarke's methods.

Participants and setting: Twenty patients and carers were recruited, as well as 10 healthcare practitioners involved in either delivering radiotherapy or imaging procedures.

Results: Patients, carers and healthcare practitioners agreed on some aspects of the device design, such as ensuring the device is warm and flexible in where it can be used on the body. However, patient and healthcare practitioner cohorts had at times differing viewpoints. For example, healthcare practitioners provided professional perspectives and required easy cleaning of the device. Meanwhile patients focused on anxiety-relieving factors, such as the tactile sensation of the device being either a vibration or pulsation. There was no consensus on who should control the device.

Conclusions: The desired features of a simulated affective touch device have been investigated. Different priorities of patients and their carers and healthcare practitioners were evident. Any design must incorporate such features as to appease both groups. Areas where no consensus was reached could be further explored, alongside including further patient and public involvement in the form of a project advisory group.

Subjects: Creative Arts and Design > W900 Others in Creative Arts and Design
School or Centre: School of Design
Identification Number or DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050288
Uncontrolled Keywords: Radiotherapy; Oncology; Qualitative Research; Humans; Diagnostic Imaging; Focus Groups; Anxiety; Touch; Caregivers
SWORD Depositor: Unnamed user with username publicationrouter
Date Deposited: 20 Apr 2022 15:00
Last Modified: 20 Apr 2022 15:01
URI: https://researchonline.rca.ac.uk/id/eprint/5028
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