Stakeholder Perspectives on Needs, Preferences, and Perceived Barriers for a Smart Integrated Care Platform for Older Adults with Cardiometabolic Multimorbidity: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Purpose Guided by stakeholder theory, this study explored the functional needs, usage preferences, and anticipated challenges in use of older adults with cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM) regarding the smart integrated care platform from the perspectives of four key groups—patients, family caregivers, physicians, and nurses—so as to provide a basis for platform development and optimization. Patients and Methods A qualitative descriptive design was employed. A total of 24 participants—including older adults with CMM, family caregivers, physicians, and nurses—were recruited via maximum-variation purposive sampling and underwent semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis framework, supported by NVivo 15.0 software. Results Three main themes and twelve subthemes were identified: (1) health needs, (2) technical needs, and (3) anticipated challenges in use. Conclusion From multiple stakeholder perspectives, the perceived needs of older adults with CMM for smart integrated care platforms are diverse. Perceived barriers to use include technical complexity, poor health, privacy concerns, and economic burden, while age-appropriate design and technical training serve as potential facilitators. This study provides insights into the design of smart integrated care platforms for this population. Future research is needed to examine the long-term adoption and adherence of such platforms.