Using Multiphase Optimization Strategy and Human-Centered Design to Create an Integrated Model of Palliative Care Skills in Home-Based Physical Therapy for Advanced Heart Failure

Background: Many older adults with advanced heart failure receive home health rehabilitation after hospitalization. Yet, integration of palliative care skills into rehabilitation is limited.Objective: Describe using the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) framework with human-centered design principles to engage clinical partners in the Preparation phase of palliative physical therapy intervention development.Design: We convened a home-based physical therapy advisory team (four clinicians, three clinical leaders) to identify physical therapist needs and preferences for incorporating palliative care skills in rehabilitation and design an intervention prototype.Results: Between 2022 and 2023, we held five advisory team meetings. Initial feedback on palliative care skill preferences and training needs directly informed refinement of our conceptual model and skills in the intervention prototype. Later feedback focused on reviewing and revising intervention content, delivery strategy, and training considerations.Conclusion: Incorporating human-centered design principles within the MOST provided a useful framework to partner with clinical colleagues in intervention design.