Wearable cardiac technologies for older adults : clinician perspectives on the design and application

Background: New devices offer promise in the detection of arrhythmia and monitoring cardiac health status amongst other clinically useful parameters. However, the clinical utility and usability from the perspectives of clinicians is largely unexplored. Objective: This study aimed to explore clinician perspectives on the use of wearable cardiac monitoring technology for older adults. Methods: Descriptive qualitative study using semi-structured focus group interviews. Clinicians were recruited through purposive sampling of physicians, nurses and allied health staff working in three tertiary level hospitals. Verbatim transcripts were analysed using thematic content analysis to identify themes. Results: Clinicians representing physicians, nurses and allied health staff working in three tertiary level hospitals completed four focus group interviews between May 2019 and July 2019. There were 50 participants, 28 men and 22 women including cardiologists, geriatricians, nurses, and allied health. The focus groups generated three overarching, interrelated themes: i) The current state of play, understanding the perceived challenges of patient cardiac monitoring in hospitals ii) Priorities in cardiac monitoring, what parameters should new technologies measure? iii) Cardiac monitoring of the future, ‘the ideal device’. Conclusion: There remain pitfalls related to the design of wearable cardiac technology for older adults which present clinical challenges. These pitfalls and challenges likely negatively impact uptake of wearable cardiac monitoring in routine clinical care. Partnering with clinicians and patients in the co-design of new wearable cardiac monitoring technologies is critical to optimise use and uptake in clinical care.