Parkwood's VIP4SCI platform: A virtual e-health self-management solution for persons with spinal cord injury across the care continuum

Abstract

Objective Parkwood VIP4SCI platform is a virtual e-health solution adapted from a version created for Spinal Cord Injury Ontario (SCIO) that focused on self-management skill development for persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) transitioning between stages of care, in partnership with caregivers and clinicians. This evaluation of the platform informs the usability and feasibility of a model to facilitate service care aims postrehabilitation. Design Participants: Inpatients and outpatients admitted to the SCI Rehabilitation Program (n = 31), and a mix of interdisciplinary clinicians on the Rehabilitation Team (n = 20). Caregivers participated at the discretion of the patient. Interventions: Inpatients were randomized into two groups (Platform or Standard Care (i.e., delayed access)). Outpatients were given access at enrollment. Pre–post assessments were completed using surveys, and platform analytics were collected. Weekly check-ins were introduced to increase engagement. Focus groups were held with a subset of participants near study completion. Results VIP4SCI was viewed as usable and feasible. Platform satisfaction assessed on a −3 to +3 scale ranged from +0.9 to 2.5, demonstrating positive agreement. Self-efficacy related to self-management ranged from 5.4 to 7.6 out of 10. The educational resource hub was identified as the most beneficial feature. Lack of clinician uptake was a barrier to integration into day-to-day practice. Conclusions Platform usage was low among all groups despite the perceived need for facilitating care coordination with consistent and intentional self-management programming. Despite the lack of uptake, partly due to challenges associated with the pandemic, conclusions on platform features and barriers to implementation will help to inform future programming.