Here at MEMORehab, we are motivated by the benefits of large-scale data collection and feedback to help improve the intervention process. Prior to the development our platform, research on intervention outcomes was largely conducted in a siloed way, with studies confined to local teams with small sample sizes. The benefit of a platform like MEMORehab is that we can now explore how people are engaging with memory intervention using de-identified data and feedback collected from thousands of participants. This information can help us not only enhance the tools available to clinicians delivering the program, but also improve the experience of participants.
The MEMORehab program is designed to allow clinicians the opportunity to see how their clients are progressing through the program and gauge their level of engagement. Prior to this, there was no window for clinicians into a patient’s effort between sessions. This feedback can help clinicians interact with patients more effectively. On a larger scale, we can explore all this engagement data and gain an understanding of which material participants prefer to use for learning and practicing. For example, if we were to find that one of our computerised exercises or educational videos was not getting much use, we could try revising it or selectively directing it only to participant subgroups who were benefitting. This way, we ensure that participants feel motivated to attempt all aspects of the program to the best of their ability and are more likely to experience a sense of completion.
In addition to engagement, the way the exercises were designed for MEMORehab allows us to determine which strategies are most useful for improving memory. For example, we can compare three different strategies for learning the names of new people. By linking strategy use outcome (i.e., the ability to remember the name later) with anonymous demographics (e.g., age, gender, education and aetiology), MEMORehab should eventually be able to provide individualised therapy plans with proven success to future participants with similar characteristics.
Feedback from both participants and clinicians is being used to improve the overall experience with the program and its delivery. Again, what is impressive here is the scale. Instead of getting opinions from a few participants and/or clinicians a year, we can gain feedback from many. Already, we have used this information to make the platform easier to navigate. In turn, these improvements are shared by all clinicians and participants using the program.
In fact, the more clinicians get involved with the program, the more we can learn. It is our goal to improve the rehabilitation experience and share these benefits for all our users and improve the lives of many. Together, we can make the rehabilitation journey better for everyone.