Contextual Design of ICT for Physiotherapy: Toward Knowledge and Innovation Ecosystem

Abstract

With advances in information and communication technologies (ICT), changes have been produced in physiotherapy provision. However, low adoption of the new technologies calls attention for better theoretical model and methods for ICT design, which may fulfil the needs of health professionals and their patients. In this work we discuss the framework for designing ICT for physiotherapy context based on some of the results obtained during research on requirements and barriers of electronic health records adoption in physiotherapy. We underscore the importance of considering the context - the conditions in social and physical environment as well as end-users internal conditions - for requirements elicitation of the healthcare information system. Identification, training and collaboration with champion/leader in the target community may contribute to creation and evolution of knowledge and innovation ecosystem for dynamic progress in designing and developing of ICT tailored to the people’ needs, expectations and values.