Wearable activity trackers for nurses’ health: a qualitative acceptability study

Abstract

Aim: To assess the practical, social and ethical acceptability of the use of a POLAR® H7 chest-strap wearable device to influence health behaviours among pre-registered nurses. Design: Qualitative acceptability study including a simulated test of use reported using COREQ guidelines. Method: Pre-registered nurses simulated nine nursing tasks while wearing the chest-strap in a clinical simulation facility in a Scottish university in 2016. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were conducted to assess technology acceptance with participants who did and did not participate in the simulated nursing tasks. Focus groups and interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically guided by a theoretical model of technology acceptance. Results: Pre-registered nurses thought the use of chest-strap devices to monitor their own health in real-time was acceptable. However, participants shared that it was important that the use of technology was inclusive and supportive of nurses’ health and cautioned against misuse of data from wearable devices for individual performance management or stigmatisation.