This paper is in the following e-collection/theme issue:

Medical Devices for the Elderly (12) Telehealth and Telemonitoring (1575) Design and Usability of Medical Devices (86) Hypertension Prevention and Treatment (207)

Published on in Vol 1, No 2 (2018): Jul-Dec

Preprints (earlier versions) of this paper are available at https://preprints.jmir.org/preprint/10975, first published .
Usability and Acceptability of a Home Blood Pressure Telemonitoring Device Among Community-Dwelling Senior Citizens With Hypertension: Qualitative Study

Usability and Acceptability of a Home Blood Pressure Telemonitoring Device Among Community-Dwelling Senior Citizens With Hypertension: Qualitative Study

Usability and Acceptability of a Home Blood Pressure Telemonitoring Device Among Community-Dwelling Senior Citizens With Hypertension: Qualitative Study

Authors of this article:

Lauren Albrecht1 Author Orcid Image ;   Peter W Wood2 Author Orcid Image ;   Miriam Fradette2 Author Orcid Image ;   Finlay A. McAlister2 Author Orcid Image ;   Doreen Rabi3 Author Orcid Image ;   Pierre Boulanger4 Author Orcid Image ;   Raj Padwal2 Author Orcid Image
Article Authors Cited by (13) Tweetations (2) Metrics

    Original Paper

    1Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    2Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    3Departments of Medicine, Community Health and Cardiac Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    4Department of Computing Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    Corresponding Author:

    Lauren Albrecht, BEd, MEd

    Department of Pediatrics

    University of Alberta

    5-147 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy

    Edmonton, AB, T6G 1C9

    Canada

    Phone: 1 780 492 9682

    Email: lauren.albrecht@ualberta.ca


    Background: Hypertension is a major cause of cardiovascular disease in older individuals. To ensure that blood pressure (BP) levels are within the optimal range, accurate BP monitoring is required. Contemporary hypertension clinical practice guidelines strongly endorse the use of home BP measurement as a preferred method of BP monitoring for individuals with hypertension. The benefits of home BP monitoring may be optimized when measurements are telemonitored to care providers; however, this may be challenging for older individuals with less technological capabilities.

    Objective: The objective of this qualitative study was to examine the usability and acceptability of a home BP telemonitoring device among senior citizens.

    Methods: We conducted a qualitative descriptive study. Following a 1-week period of device use, individual, semistructured interviews were conducted. Interview audio recordings were anonymized, de-identified, and transcribed verbatim. We performed thematic analysis on interview transcripts.

    Results: Seven senior citizens participated in the usability testing of the home BP telemonitoring device. Participants comprised females (n=4) and males (n=3) with a mean age of 86 years (range, 70-95 years). Overall, eight main themes were identified from the interviews: (1) positive features of the device; (2) difficulties or problems with the device; (3) device was simple to use; (4) comments about wireless capability and components; (5) would recommend device to someone else; (6) would use device in future; (7) suggestions for improving the device; and (8) assistance to use device. Additional subthemes were also identified.

    Conclusions: Overall, the home BP telemonitoring device had very good usability and acceptability among community-dwelling senior citizens with hypertension. To enhance its long-term use, few improvements were noted that may mitigate some of the relatively minor challenges encountered by the target population.

    JMIR Aging 2018;1(2):e10975

    doi:10.2196/10975

    Keywords

    blood pressure; telemonitoring; community-dwelling; qualitative 


    Population aging is occurring in countries across the world at a rate that by 2050, nearly 25% of the global population is expected to be over the age of 60 years [1]. Advanced age is often complicated by cardiovascular morbidity, which frequently leads to disability and death [2]. Hypertension is a major cause of cardiovascular disease in older individuals [3,4], but senior citizens also derive greater benefits from treatment of elevated blood pressure (BP) than younger patients [5,6]. The management of hypertension in senior citizens can be challenging and must balance the risk of treatment-related serious complications (including hypotension, postural dizziness, syncope, falls, and metabolic side effects) [3,7-9] against the well-established cardiovascular benefits associated with BP lowering.

    To ensure that BP levels are within the optimal range, accurate BP monitoring is required. Contemporary hypertension clinical practice guidelines strongly endorse the use of home BP measurement as a preferred method of BP monitoring for individuals with hypertension [10]. The benefits of home BP monitoring may be optimized when measurements are telemonitored to care providers [11,12]. BP telemonitoring involves the electronic and secure transmission of BP readings in real time to a central electronic health care portal, with summarized BP data presented to patients and providers. Through process automation and protocolization, BP telemonitoring can ensure that home BP monitoring is performed in a guideline-concordant manner, ensuring the proper frequency and timing of BP measurements [12]. Telemonitoring theoretically could eliminate the need for an in-person clinic visit, thereby increasing health care delivery efficiency, minimizing costs, and making the use of provider and patient time more efficient [12]. A meta-analysis of 23 randomized controlled trials (RCTs; 7037 patients) reported that home BP telemonitoring reduced BP by 5/3 mm Hg compared with usual care (P<0.0001 for both systolic and diastolic BP) [13]. This is a clinically important reduction in BP, as a 5-mm Hg reduction can decrease the risk of total cardiovascular disease by 17%, stroke by 18%, and myocardial infarction by 15% [14,15].

    Adoption of telemonitoring will only occur if the process and technology are deemed usable and acceptable by patients and caregivers. Use of home BP telemonitoring may be particularly challenging in senior citizens, who, by virtue of being less technologically literate, may have greater difficulty using a telemonitoring device. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study, embedded within an ongoing RCT (trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02721667) examining the clinical and cost-effectiveness of telemonitoring among community-dwelling senior citizens with hypertension [16], was to examine the usability and acceptability of a home BP telemonitoring device within this particular patient population.


    Study Design

    A qualitative descriptive study was conducted [17,18] embedded within an RCT comparing BP telemonitoring plus pharmacist case management with usual care to optimize BP control among senior citizens residing in supportive living. Half of the study sample will receive home BP telemonitoring, with measurements telemonitored to a pharmacist case manager, who will provide guideline-concordant, protocolized antihypertensive medication adjustment. Patients in the usual care arm will receive a home BP monitor that they can use to record their BP, but neither they nor their providers will receive access to telemonitored measurements or pharmacist case management. They will be asked to follow-up with their regular care providers as needed. A protocol paper has been published [16]; the most updated protocol can be found on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02721667). The University of Alberta Research Ethics Board approved the study.

    Study Population

    Participants were community-dwelling senior citizens (aged ≥65 years) with hypertension residing in a supportive living residence. The target sample size for this qualitative study was 5-8 participants based on a prior research demonstrating that the first 4-5 users typically identify 80% of all usability problems, including the most severe usability issues; beyond this, a higher sample size has low incremental yield as data saturation has been reached [19].

    Data Collection

    Participating senior citizens were instructed to use the home BP telemonitoring device and perform all measurements according to the recommended techniques for home BP measurement. To activate the device, the subject was required to initiate a BP measurement by pressing the appropriate device button. The remainder of the process was automated. Four measurements were taken daily (ie, 2 × am, 2 × pm) for 1 week [10]. Following this period of device use, participants completed individual, semistructured interviews (Multimedia Appendix 1) to obtain usability and acceptability information, probe participants’ responses, and give participants freedom to respond and illustrate concepts in an open-ended fashion [20]. The interviews were conducted in-person and were audio recorded. Audio recordings were anonymized, de-identified, and transcribed verbatim.

    Telemonitoring System

    The custom-built Technomed telemonitoring system consists of 5 components: (1) a commercially available, Bluetooth-enabled oscillometric BP monitor (A&D Medical UA-651BLE, supplied with cuff size medium [23-37 cm, UA-290] or large [31-45 cm, UA-291]); (2) a data transmission hub (Lamprey Networks Inc.); (3) a Web portal interface (Telemed Diagnostic Management Inc); (4) an android-based interface for hub programming (Advanced Man Machine Interface Laboratory, University of Alberta); and (5) in patients with no existing internet access, a selectively deployed (based on home internet availability) Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)­–based internet hotspot. Prior to operation, the system is set up by connecting the hub to the internet (hotspot or home internet), assigning a patient identification using the android app, and creating a patient profile on the Web portal.

    ‎
    Figure 1. System flowchart for Technomed telemonitoring blood pressure system. HTTPS: hypertext transfer protocol secure.
    View this figure

    Blood Pressure Measurements

    Once the system is set up, the patient is instructed to follow the 7-day series BP protocol initiated by performing a measurement using the A&D device. This measurement is sent to the Web portal via the Bluetooth-connected hub (Figure 1). The data are summarized in a variety of formats including individual readings, averages (mean of all readings minus the first day, as recommended by current guidelines) [10], and graphed values to depict temporal trends. The case manager uses these data to adjust the patient’s BP medication (uptitrate if BP is too high, downtitrate if BP too low, or leave unchanged if BP is within the optimal range).

    Data Analysis

    Interview transcripts were managed and analyzed using NVivo data management software [21]. Thematic analysis was used to break interview text into small units for a detailed, nuanced account of the data [22-24]. Thematic analysis was guided by the hybrid approach of inductive and deductive coding and theme development described by Fereday & Muir-Cochrane [25]. Deductive coding of the interview transcripts was done first using the semistructured interview guide as a framework; smaller units of data that emerged inductively were coded for increased granularity and specificity.


    Sample Demographics

    Seven senior citizens participated in the usability testing of the home BP telemonitoring system from November 2016 to June 2017. Participants comprised females (n=4) and males (n=3) with a mean age of 86 years (range 70-95 years). Additional demographics are summarized in Table 1. The mean baseline home systolic BP of the 7 participants was 131 mm Hg (range 99-181 mm Hg) and the mean diastolic BP was 71 mm Hg (range, 47-125 mm Hg).

    Themes

    Overall, eight main themes were identified and two main themes were further classified into subthemes for increased granularity and specificity (Table 2).

    Table 1. Participant demographics.
    Participant numberSexAge (years)Partnered or singleCaregiver providing assistance (yes or no)Notes
    1Male89SingleNoN/Aa
    2Female89SingleNoN/A
    3Female70SingleNoReported visual impairment
    4Male86PartneredYesReported hearing impairment
    5Female91SingleNoReported mild dementia
    6Female80Partnered, lived aloneNoN/A
    7Male95SingleNoN/A

    aN/A: not applicable.

    Table 2. Main themes and subthemes
    Main themes and subthemesNumber of interviews theme is referenced inNumber of overall references for theme
    Positive features of the device735

    		General positive comments about device615

    		Specific positives about device720


    		Cuff was appropriate612


    		Start button worked well67


    		Display screen worked well33


    		No bruising after device use11
    Difficulties or problems with device728

    		No difficulties or problems with device22

    		General difficulties or problems with device11

    		Specific difficulties or problems with device725


    		Issues positioning and securing cuff58


    		Cuff too large for arm38


    		Knowing or remembering when to take blood pressure measurements37


    		Error messages on display screen24


    		Battery issues12
    Device was simple to use616
    Comments about wireless capability and components68
    Would recommend device to someone else78
    Would use device in future66
    Suggestions for improving the device55
    Assistance to use device11
    Table 3. Specific positive features of the device.
    FeatureDescriptionSupporting quote from interview
    Cuff was of appropriate tightnessAll participants described the cuff to be of appropriate tightness. It only caused minimal pain for a short duration (ie, when the cuff was fully inflated), similar to other blood pressure cuffs they had used in the past.Participant: No, I think it was just right.
    Interviewer: Good, okay.
    Participant: Cause it didn’t bother me that much. But it bothered me a little bit. [Laughing] [Participant 5]
    Start button worked wellSix participants noted that the start button was large enough to locate, easy to press to activate reading, and did not stick.But, yeah. So, other than that, it’s...it’s easy to use. The start and-and the stop. And, I mean, it’s quite simple. [Participant 6]
    Display screen worked wellThree participants described the display screen as large enough and easy to read, even for those with visual impairments.Participant: Um...well, I-ah, I mean you know, it’s um, it’s got a...like, I’m legally blind.
    Interviewer: Okay.
    Participant: And-and so I-I have about 12 percent vision. So I mean, for me, like it-[stammers] it’s ah-the-it’s quite clear on the-on the screen and that. [Participant 3]
    No bruising after device useOne participant noted that he or she had no bruising after using the device.—

    Theme Descriptions

    Positive Features of the Device

    The interview guide included questions to ascertain the positive features of the device and elicit what worked for the participants. A range of answers were given. These fell into 2 subthemes: (1) general positive comments about the device and (2) specific positive features of the device.

    For the first subtheme, 6 participants described the device in general positive terms, including stating it “worked well” and “was a very good set-up.” All participants provided specific feedback on positive features of the device (subtheme 2). These fell into 4 subcategories: (1) cuff was of appropriate tightness; (2) start button worked well; (3) display screen worked well; and (4) no bruising after device use. These subcategories are described in detail in Table 3.

    Difficulties or Problems With the Device

    The interview guide included questions to ascertain whether there were any difficulties or problems using the device. A range of answers were given. These fell into 3 subthemes: (1) no difficulties or problems with the device; (2) general difficulties or problems with the device; and (3) specific difficulties or problems with the device.

    For the first subtheme, in response to a general question, 2 participants indicated that there were no difficulties or problems using the device. For the second subtheme, 1 participant indicated that using the device was “a little bit awkward” but that once you practice a few times, it worked well. However, all 7 participants identified specific difficulties or issues with the device (subtheme 3). These concerns fell into 5 subcategories: (1) issues positioning and securing cuff; (2) cuff too large for the arm; (3) knowing or remembering when to take BP measurements; (4) error messages on display screen; and (5) battery issues. These subcategories are described in detail in Table 4.

    Device Was Simple to Use

    All 7 participants felt that the device was simple and straightforward to use, as demonstrated by the following conversation:

    Interviewer: So, did you find the device simple, to use?
    Participant: Oh, yeah.
    Interviewer: Yeah?
    Participant: Yeah, I did. Yes.
    Interviewer: And there was noth-was there anything about it that maybe was a bit tricky at first?
    Participant: No, not-ah, not really. If you just followed the instructions, ah...the-all you gotta do is push the button and it-it goes, you know.
    Interviewer: Yeah [laughing].
    Participant: You don’t have to figure it out. It’s not like you’re doing ah...puzzle or something like that. Ah...
    Interviewer: Very true.
    Participant: No, not at all.
    [Participant 1]
    Comments About Wireless Capability and Components

    Six participants commented on the wireless technology aspect of the system. Overall, the participants knew that study staff had plugged in 1 or 2 peripheral devices to assist with the operation of the BP device, but they did not know what the peripheral devices did; they did not touch these pieces during their week of using the device.

    Would Recommend Device to Someone Else

    All participants indicated that they would recommend this device to someone else if they needed regular BP monitoring.

    Would Use Device in Future

    Six participants indicated a willingness to use this device in the future if their condition required regular BP monitoring.

    Suggestions for Improving the Device

    Two participants indicated that no improvements were needed in the BP device. One participant suggested that a helpful improvement would be a signal from the device to indicate when to take a BP measurement and another indicated that some form of feedback from the device to know whether the device was positioned and secured properly would be helpful. A third improvement would be decreased tightness of the cuff, if possible.

    Assistance to Use Device

    One participant required some assistance from his or her spouse to use the device. The spouse did not assist during the morning BP readings and assisted only during the afternoon or evening readings. The spouse helped to secure and position the device for the participant because it was difficult to do so with one hand.

    Table 4. Specific difficulties or problems using the device.
    FeatureDescriptionSupporting quote from interview
    Issues positioning and securing cuffFive participants found the cuff difficult to position and secure on the arm. This was largely an issue of having enough dexterity to pull the fabric tight and wrap it around the arm with only one hand. Participants indicated that while pulling and fastening, the cuff would slide back and forth, and the participants were unsure if it was properly placed on the arm. Participants used the crook of the elbow as well as the dot on the cuff as helpful guides but did not feel it was optimal.Participant: And so, then you-[stammers] you’re trying to tighten it. And then you put your-in the meantime, you’re struggling to try and get it...
    Interviewer: I see, yeah.
    Participant: ...and so you think, “Okay, can I pull it with this? No, that’s not gonna work.” So...I don’t know how-and then, you raise your blood pressure trying to...
    Interviewer: [Laughing] I see, yes.
    Participant: To-to do that.
    Interviewer: Kind of a catch-22. [Participant 6]
    Cuff too large for armThree participants found that the cuff was too large and the extra material was cumbersome to manage with a single hand while securing the cuff.Participant: Yes. And the thing just slithered around. So it was not a good fit.
    Interviewer: Okay.
    Participant: It was a terrible fit.
    Interviewer: It was-
    Participant: A terrible choice.
    Interviewer: Too baggy?
    Participant: Oh, yeah.
    Interviewer: Yeah.
    Participant: I should have had a small cuff.
    Interviewer: Okay.
    Participant: They always use a small cuff on me at the...[chuckling] when I go to the doctor. [Participant 2]
    Knowing or remembering when to take blood pressure (BP) measurementsFive participants expressed uncertainty about knowing or remembering when to take the BP measurements. For one participant this meant forgetting to take two measurements at one time, and for the other 2 participants, this meant taking readings at different times than directed.Participant: Yes, but that was-trying to figure out that it was the right time.
    Interviewer: Uhum.
    Participant: You know, 10 to 12 hours apart. And I wasn’t right in getting that every time.
    Interviewer: Uhum.
    Participant: I was a little bit...too short or too long, I’m not quite sure which. [Participant 5]
    Error messages on display screenTwo participants experienced error messages on the display screen. When an error message appeared on the device, both participants attempted to take another BP reading and repeated this process until it worked and a reading was displayed, which resulted in slight confusion.Participant: Ah, yeah. If I had an error message, I’d just...put-push the stop but-button, and push the Start again.
    Interviewer: Okay. And that worked?
    Participant: Uhum.
    Interviewer: Okay. Well, that’s good.
    Participant: Yeah.
    Interviewer: Was it a little bit frustrating?
    Participant: Ah...oh, I was beginning to wonder if I’m doing it right.
    Interviewer: Yeah.
    Participant: Is there-is it my fault that it’s getting the error message? I don’t think so. But it might have been. [Participant 7]
    Battery issuesOne participant experienced a battery issue with the device and did not know how to resolve it. The participant called study staff to resolve the issue; study staff replaced the battery, and the participant continued to use the device.—

    Principal Findings

    The purpose of this qualitative study, conducted concurrently with an RCT, was to assess the usability and acceptability of the home BP telemonitoring device among community-dwelling senior citizens with hypertension. Previous research has shown that 65% of the population aged ≥65 years would like to keep up-to-date with technological advancements, which includes health apps [26]; however, at present, there is a dearth of information on the unique needs and demands of senior citizens using medical devices at home [27]. In line with the results of a research conducted by Ehmen et al in which they concluded that mobile devices for measuring heart rate and electrocardiography were well accepted by participants aged ≥55 years [27], we hypothesized that participating senior citizens in this study would rate the home BP telemonitoring device as user friendly, acceptable, and useful for hypertension management. This hypothesis was supported by the study findings. However, a few issues were identified and potential solutions were explored in order to optimize device functionality and its successful future use.

    One unique aspect of our study in comparison to prior studies is the advanced age of the participants (average age, 86 years). However, despite this difference, it is worth noting that our findings of high patient acceptability are consistent with the existing qualitative literature assessing patient views on BP telemonitoring systems [28-31]. Other studies have also included care providers in the qualitative assessment and have reported that while caregivers are generally supportive of the concept, they are concerned about the time required to view and act on telemonitored readings [30,31]. This underscores the need to develop systems and protocols that minimize provider time and replace (instead of adding to) existing workloads.

    User-Friendliness of the Device

    In this study, all participants described the device as simple and straightforward to use. Specifically, the start button was large enough and easy to engage and the display screen was legible, even for those with visual impairments. This demonstrates that the design of this home BP telemonitoring is suitable for senior citizens of advanced age. Device acceptability and usability was enhanced by building a telemonitoring system that depended only on activating the home BP monitor. The remainder of the data transmission performed through communication between the monitor and the hub, and the hub and the cloud, was performed automatically. The fact that the monitor itself has been designed according to regulatory requirements and standards enhanced the probability that the users would find it usable and acceptable, as long as they were not required to perform additional steps besides activating a measurement.

    Conversely, all participants identified one or more difficulties related to using the device. Specific issues were noted regarding the design and application of the BP cuff component. For example, it was described as being too large, having cumbersome extra material when pulled tight, and being difficult to place and secure with one hand. These concerns may be related to the features of normal, age-related decline in psychomotor skills, including dexterity and hand-eye coordination [32]; however, it is critical to optimize the design by addressing these concerns to overcome the barriers to implementation and successful adoption of home telemonitoring technology.

    Apart from the BP cuff component, participants noted that error messages on the display screen were confusing, and one participant did not know how to manage the device when the batteries ran out. While these issues are seen as normal features, albeit limitations, of current technology, older adults are more affected by the distracting context, including unfamiliar or unexpected error messages, making it challenging to perform concurrent tasks, including changing batteries at the same time as taking a BP measurement [32]. These challenges are related to cognitive load, and previous research has suggested that an initial facilitated learning experience, supplemented with support materials, can be used to train senior citizens in proper use and functioning of the device and to resolve any potential errors or issues that may arise [27].

    An issue that arose that was peripheral to the BP device itself was the lack of understanding of the wireless technology required to enable the telemonitoring aspect of this system. Six of 7 participants had little awareness of the relevant technology. Participants knew, in general, that the hub assisted with the operation of the telemonitoring system, but they were not clear on specific functions and did not touch or interfere with these components during their week of using the device. This finding is not surprising as consumers often lack understanding of the inner workings of commonly used technologies such as mobile phones and computers, but this lack of knowledge does not preclude the use of these devices. In fact, rather than having an intimate understanding of how the technology works, it is more important that users have access to assistance with troubleshooting if the device is not working properly. Thus, it is important that telemonitoring system vendors provide such assistance.

    Acceptability and Usefulness of the Device

    As proxies for the acceptability and usefulness of the device, participants were asked if they would use the device in the future and if they would recommend this device to a friend. All 7 participants indicated that they would recommend this device to a friend in need of regular BP monitoring. The majority (n=6) indicated a willingness to use this device in the future if their health status required regular BP monitoring.

    Recommendations for Future Developments

    It is worthwhile noting two specific factors that may influence future, appropriate use of this home BP telemonitoring device. First, 5 of 7 participants indicated some difficulty knowing when and how often to take measurements with the device. This could be addressed in both high- and low-tech approaches. For example, a high-tech solution could be a programmable device feature of either an audible signal or visual aid when it is time to take BP measurements. This is the advantage that mobile phone–connected strategies provide; however, these are not appropriate for populations with limited technology literacy. A low-tech solution could be to provide written, supporting information, like a daily calendar containing these details. For 5 out of 7 of participants, detailed instructions were provided as part of the “study pack”; this may indicate that the provided information was not formatted optimally to disseminate operational instruction. The high-tech improvement (ie, a signal from the device) was suggested by a participant during the interview and would likely be acceptable to users.

    Second, a number of participants indicated uncertainty about whether they were using the device properly. Other than the potential for an error message on the display screen, the device did not have the capacity to provide patients with feedback as to whether the device was properly positioned and secured for optimal readings or if the readings were being properly transmitted through the wireless connection. This concern was noted by a participant when asked about suggestions for improvement. Additionally, there was no explanation of the error messages. When these warnings occurred, participants repeatedly attempted to take additional BP readings until the error message disappeared. It could be worthwhile to explore whether real-time feedback could be incorporated into the machine, which could include a written message on the display, an auditory message (voice, beep, etc) from the device, or a sensory message (squeeze, vibration, etc) in the cuff. This functionality may be especially important for successful, long-term use as the majority of participants lived alone and did not have any caregiver assistance to use the device.

    Conclusion

    Overall, the home BP telemonitoring device had very good usability and acceptability among community-dwelling senior citizens with hypertension. This was illustrated by all participants indicating willingness to recommend this device to a friend and 6 of 7 participants stating they would use this device in the future. Additionally, all participants found the device to be simple and straightforward to use. To enhance its long-term use, a few improvements were noted that may mitigate some of the relatively minor challenges encountered by the target population.

    Acknowledgments

    Technomed is funded by Canadian Institute for Health Research grant number EH2-143571 and Alberta Innovates Health Solutions grant number 201900506. LA is supported by a graduate studentship from Alberta Innovates Health Solutions. RP and FAM are supported by an alternative funding plan from the Government of Alberta and the University of Alberta. FAM hold salary support awards from Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research and Alberta Innovates Health Solutions. PB holds an Endowed Chair in Healthcare Solutions provided by CISCO Systems Inc. FAM holds the University of Alberta Chair in Cardiovascular Outcomes Research. The sponsors had no role in the design, conduct, or reporting of this study.

    Conflicts of Interest

    RP is a director of a start-up company, mmHg Inc, focusing on innovations in blood pressure measurement.

    ‎
    Multimedia Appendix 1

    Semistructured interview guide.

    PDF File (Adobe PDF File), 25KB
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    ‎
    BP: blood pressure
    RCT: randomized controlled trial
    SIM: Subscriber Identity Module

    Edited by G Eysenbach; submitted 09.05.18; peer-reviewed by J Goris, M Lang; comments to author 07.06.18; revised version received 14.06.18; accepted 21.06.18; published 24.07.18

    Copyright

    ©Lauren Albrecht, Peter W Wood, Miriam Fradette, Finlay A. McAlister, Doreen Rabi, Pierre Boulanger, Raj Padwal. Originally published in JMIR Aging (http://aging.jmir.org), 24.07.2018.

    This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in JMIR Aging, is properly cited. The complete bibliographic information, a link to the original publication on http://aging.jmir.org, as well as this copyright and license information must be included.