Exploring staff views about implementing hospital-based Exergames to support older adults with frailty: A qualitative study

ObjectiveTo explore the views of staff in hospital rehabilitation wards about factors influencing implementation of Exergames for older adults with mild to moderate frailty.DesignQualitative descriptive study.SettingThree rehabilitation and frailty wards across two NHS hospital settings in the North West of England.ParticipantsA purposive sample of 22 healthcare professionals was recruited to take part in the study.InterventionTherapy staff were instructed on how to use the Exergames with patients. Trained therapists, and other healthcare professionals, took part in a focus group or semi-structured interview to share perceived constraints to Exergames implementation. The research physiotherapist also reflected on each ward's response to the intervention, and the Exergames training sessions. Pre-implementation actions in the Quality Implementation Framework informed the topic guide and analysis. Data was analysed using the Framework approach.ResultsThree face-to-face focus groups and seven interviews (in-person or online) were conducted, and the research physiotherapist recorded 25 h of observations. Themes represented factors impacting Exergames use in a hospital environment. These included: competing priorities for staff availability and time; buy-in from key stakeholders; the user-friendly integration of the Exergames system; flexible training sessions and development of a feasible and effective delivery framework.ConclusionsThe dynamic nature of hospital wards, such as changes of staff and ward focus, and complexity of interactions within and between individual, ward and organisational levels, means effective Exergames implementation requires coordinated efforts and ongoing adaptability.