Applying the nominal group technique for the conceptual validation of ehealth solutions

• Main Author: Rosa, Ana Filipa
• Publication Date: 2023
• Other Authors: Martins, Ana Isabel, Cerqueira, Margarida, Santos, Milton, Silva, Anabela G., Rocha, Nelson Pacheco
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositórios Científicos de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (RCAAP)
• Download full: http://hdl.handle.net/10773/37775
• topic: ehealth; Nominal group technique; Conceptual validation; ehealth advantages; ehealth barriers

The development of ehealth applications is a complex task, not only in technological terms, but also in the understanding of both the users' needs, expectations and contexts, and the business models. Therefore, initial conceptual validations might be essential to verify whether the proposed solutions are adequate, sustainable, and worth to be developed. The study reported by this paper applied the nominal group technique to verify the potential suitability and sustainability of a diverse set of ehealth applications to support older adults. The study identified a set of transversal advantages (i.e., promotion of active and healthy, integrated care, and healthcare equity) and barriers (i.e., contextual, personal, and development and deployment barriers. As a conclusion, the nominal group technique was adequate for the conceptual validation of the proposed ehealth solutions and provided comprehensive information about issues that must be carefully considered during the development of these solutions to assure their viability and to reduce research waste.