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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies

Analysis of Health Care Providers' Attitudes and Expectations on Intradialytic Exergaming: Qualitative SWOT Study

  • Aurel Zelko1
  • Marianna Antoniadou2
  • Jaroslav Rosenberger3,4,5,6
  • Zuzana Dankulincova Veselska1
  • Andrea Madarasova Geckova1,3,4,7
  • Leonie Klompstra2
  • Tiny Jaarsma2
7 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Health Psychology and Research Methodology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pavol Jozef Šafárik, Trieda SNP 1, Košice, 040 11, Slovakia
  2. 2Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Växthuset, House 511-001, Linköping, Östergötland, SE-581 83, Sweden, 46 11363550
  3. 3Department of Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
  4. 4Olomouc University Social Health Institute, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
  5. 5Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pavol Jozef Šafárik, Košice, Slovakia
  6. 6Fresenius Medical Care Dialysis Services Košice, Košice, Slovakia
  7. 7Institute of Applied Psychology, Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Comenius University Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Abstract

Background: Physical inactivity significantly contributes to the rapid decline in clinical and health-related outcomes among patients undergoing hemodialysis. Exergaming may offer a safe, effective, and sustainable solution for maintaining adequate physical activity levels in these patients.

Objective: This study aims to support its clinical applicability; our aim was to examine the attitudes and expectations of health care providers regarding intradialytic exergaming (IEG) in hemodialysis care in Slovakia.

Methods: We conducted 21 individual, in-person, semistructured interviews with health care providers. Using purposive sampling, we included training assistants, nurses, nephrologists, and managers from 2 dialysis centers in Slovakia. The verbatim transcripts of interviews were qualitatively analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis approach. The identified codes and themes were further deductively categorized into the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and/or threats quadrants of the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) framework.

Results: We identified 2 strengths, 2 weaknesses, 3 opportunities, and 3 threats of IEG. Strengths included health care providers’ enthusiasm and belief in the safety of IEG. Weaknesses involved concerns about the complexity of IEG and low digital literacy among patients and providers. Opportunities were seen in improving information availability and specificity, adjusting clinical culture, and tailoring exercises. Threats included skepticism about the availability of financial resources for IEG, resistance to changes in clinical practice, and issues related to patient behavior and privacy.

Conclusions: Health care providers perceived IEG as a safe and appropriate intervention for clinical practice. To improve implementation strategies, it is important to consider specific expectations regarding resource availability, as well as the technological and organizational aspects of IEG.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{zelko2026analysis,
  title = {{Analysis of Health Care Providers' Attitudes and Expectations on Intradialytic Exergaming: Qualitative SWOT Study}},
  author = {Aurel Zelko and Marianna Antoniadou and Jaroslav Rosenberger and Zuzana Dankulincova Veselska and Andrea Madarasova Geckova and Leonie Klompstra and Tiny Jaarsma},
  journal = {JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies},
  year = {2026},
  month = nov,
  doi = {10.2196/106283},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.2196/106283},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Analysis of Health Care Providers' Attitudes and Expectations on Intradialytic Exergaming: Qualitative SWOT Study
AU  - Aurel Zelko
AU  - Marianna Antoniadou
AU  - Jaroslav Rosenberger
AU  - Zuzana Dankulincova Veselska
AU  - Andrea Madarasova Geckova
AU  - Leonie Klompstra
AU  - Tiny Jaarsma
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/11/04
JO  - JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies
DO  - 10.2196/106283
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/106283
AB  - Background: Physical inactivity significantly contributes to the rapid decline in clinical and health-related outcomes among patients undergoing hemodialysis. Exergaming may offer a safe, effective, and sustainable solution for maintaining adequate physical activity levels in these patients.  Objective: This study aims to support its clinical applicability; our aim was to examine the attitudes and expectations of health care providers regarding intradialytic exergaming (IEG) in hemodialysis care in Slovakia.  Methods: We conducted 21 individual, in-person, semistructured interviews with health care providers. Using purposive sampling, we included training assistants, nurses, nephrologists, and managers from 2 dialysis centers in Slovakia. The verbatim transcripts of interviews were qualitatively analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis approach. The identified codes and themes were further deductively categorized into the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and/or threats quadrants of the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) framework.  Results: We identified 2 strengths, 2 weaknesses, 3 opportunities, and 3 threats of IEG. Strengths included health care providers’ enthusiasm and belief in the safety of IEG. Weaknesses involved concerns about the complexity of IEG and low digital literacy among patients and providers. Opportunities were seen in improving information availability and specificity, adjusting clinical culture, and tailoring exercises. Threats included skepticism about the availability of financial resources for IEG, resistance to changes in clinical practice, and issues related to patient behavior and privacy.  Conclusions: Health care providers perceived IEG as a safe and appropriate intervention for clinical practice. To improve implementation strategies, it is important to consider specific expectations regarding resource availability, as well as the technological and organizational aspects of IEG.
SN  - 2369-2529
ER  -