Development and Implementation of MyPainHub, a Web-Based Resource for People With Musculoskeletal Conditions and Their Health Care Professionals: Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Evans Kerrie , Ko Jonathan , Ceprnja Dragana , Maka Katherine , Beales Darren , Sterling Michele , Bennell Kim L , Jull Gwendolen , Hodges Paul W , McKay Marnee J , Rebbeck Trudy J 
Published: December 2024

Background

Musculoskeletal conditions, including low back pain (LBP), neck pain, and knee osteoarthritis, are the greatest contributors to years lived with disability worldwide. Resources aiming to aid both patients and health care professionals (HCPs) exist but are poorly implemented and adopted.

Objective

We aimed to develop and implement MyPainHub, an evidence-based web-based resource designed to provide comprehensive, credible and accessible information for people with, and HCPs who manage, common musculoskeletal conditions.

Methods

This mixed methods study adhered to the New South Wales Translational Research Framework and was evaluated against the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework. Consultation with key stakeholders (patients, HCPs, researchers, industry, consumer groups, and website developers) informed content, design, features, and functionality. Development then aimed to meet the identified need for a “one-stop shop”—a central location for information about common musculoskeletal conditions tailored to a person’s condition and risk of poor outcomes. MyPainHub was then developed through an iterative process and implementation strategies were tailored to different health care settings. Quantitative and qualitative evaluation occurred with patients and HCPs.

Results

In total, 127 stakeholders participated in the development phase; initial consultation with them led to embedding 2 validated screening tools (the Short Form Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire and the Keele STarT MSK tool) in MyPainHub to guide information tailoring for patients based on risk of poor outcomes. Development occurred in parallel and feedback from stakeholders informed design and content including structure, functionality, and phrasing and images to use to emphasize key points. Consultation resulted in information for patients being categorized using key guideline-based messages (general information, your pathway, exercise, and imaging) while information for clinicians was categorized into assessment, management, and prognosis. Implementation occurred in different health care settings with the most effective strategies being interactive education via webinars and workshops. The evaluation phase involved web-based questionnaires (patients: n=44; HCPs: n=29) and focus groups (patients: n=6; HCPs: n=6). Patients and HCPs found MyPainHub user-friendly, acceptable, credible, and potentially able to support self-management. Patient participants identified areas for improvement such as including more specific information on preventative measures and pain relief options. Despite positive feedback, only 35% (10/29) of HCPs used MyPainHub with their patients. HCP participants identified challenges including insufficient training and lack of familiarity with using web-based resources in existing clinical workflows. Following implementation, the information contained on MyPainHub changed knowledge and practice for some patients and HCPs.

Conclusions

Following extensive and iterative stakeholder engagement, MyPainHub was developed as an evidence-based web-based resource and perceived by patients and HCPs as user-friendly, credible, and acceptable. Active implementation strategies are required for adoption and implementation and greater training focusing on strategies to implement MyPainHub into clinical practice may be necessary.

Trial Registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12619000871145; https://tinyurl.com/438kkyt3