Hand Therapy app receives update for improved patient experience

The award-winning Hand Therapy: The Exercise Prescription App has launched a new and improved version with new functionality, content and updated features to improve the experience for both patient and therapist.

The app comes from Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and its official charity CW+, who has partnered with Digital Health for Pitchfest 2023.

The app provides therapist-tailored exercises to support recovery from hand and wrist injuries. The newest version offers 50 new videos, bringing the number of video and audio instructional tutorials to over 130. This allows patients to follow the instructions and replicate them at home to help treat their injuries.

Following patient and clinician feedback the updates will improve the user experience, with some optimising existing features. The new version allows hand therapy exercises to reorder in accordance with the prescription. Plus ‘exercise repetitions’ and ‘completed’ buttons have been added for each exercise.

The search function has been enhanced so users are able to locate the exercises quicker. In addition, the app now includes the option to record and upload videos with the patient, enabling bespoke tailored programmes.

For patients, the addition of a patient-rated outcome measure allows them to set their own goals and review their progress.

Hayley Fay, senior occupational therapist, said: “It has been a pleasure working with colleagues and patients and their feedback has helped to shape the new version.

“In particular, the new functionality to enable the team to collect outcome data related to patient goals, will really help motivate patients on their journey to recovery. As a team we are all really proud of how the updated app looks and believe it will enhance patient care.”

The Hand Therapy App was developed by Imagineear and is part of the CW Innovation programme, led jointly by CW+ and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The app has been funded by CW+ since 2015.

Chris Chaney, chief executive at CW+, said: “We are proud to have funded the Hand Therapy app over the years, including through our Nurses Call 2020.

“It has been a pleasure working with Hayley and her team, supporting our staff to bring their ideas to fruition to provide patients with a simple, effective, and easy way to access their hand exercises. The new videos and upgraded features will ensure that the app continues to provide the best user experience for patients.”