Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate in the study?
This study is only for people currently or recently admitted to 1 of 6 University of Pennsylvania Health System hospitals:
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (or “HUP”)
- Penn Presbyterian Medical Center (PPMC or “Presby”)
- Pennsylvania Hospital (or “Pennsy”)
- Chester County Hospital (CCH)
- Lancaster General Hospital (LGH)
- Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center (PMPMC)
Patients must be able to walk independently and must return home from the hospital. Participation is by invitation only but patients may be referred by their doctor.
Does this study require in-person visits?
No. All study materials will be mailed to you, and study staff will contact you by phone, text, or email. There is also a study website that you will use to complete some questionnaires and that will have information for you.
How much time will I be expected to spend on study activities?
Enrollment in the study can take up to an hour to complete all the necessary surveys, forms, and questions. After enrollment, almost all the time you spend participating in the study will be by walking while wearing a FitBit that is provided by the study. Every 3 months, staff from the study will contact you to “check in” and ask questions related to your recovery including your ability to stand and walk short distances. These “check-ins” and the surveys that go with them can take up to an hour to complete. Finally, we will be offering optional health coaching sessions to some participants. These sessions should last 30 minutes or less should you be invited and choose to participate in them.
Will I be paid for my participation in the study?
The study offers compensation in the form of a virtual, pre-paid debit card. You will receive a total of $100 for the study, via increments of $15 or $25 at different time points.
What is a Fitbit?
Fitbits are wearable devices that are worn on your wrist, like a watch. The Fitbit we are using for this study will be used to track daily steps, heart rate, and sleep. People who sign up and are eligible to participate in MOVE ON will receive a Fitbit device to use during the study. Participants who stay in the study for 1 year will be able to keep the Fitbit after their time in the study ends.
How are my steps tracked during the study?
Your steps will be tracked by a Fitbit device as you go about your daily activities. Learn how Fitbit tracks step counts.
Can I use my own Fitbit device during the study?
No, you cannot use your own Fitbit (or other device) for the study. You will receive a Fitbit from the study to use during the entire study period. This won’t prevent you from also using your own device if you are happy to have more than one gadget!
If I have questions about how my information will be used, who should I contact?
You can contact the study team at 215-662-2081 or email MOVEON@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
I'm already active, can I join the study?
Every person has their own "right" level of activity to maximize their recovery after a hospital stay. The study team will assess your current activity level as part of the enrollment process to determine the right level for you. Some people may already be "too active" to benefit from our study but this is very rare. Most people age 50 or older will benefit from a program to reach healthy levels of activity as part of the recovery process from hospitalization.
How often will the study contact me, and how will they do so?
You will receive daily text messages from the study about your daily step goal. You will also receive text and email messages when you reach certain milestones within the study. We may contact you by phone if you have a question that’s best answered that way, or if we haven’t heard from you for a period of time.
Who can I contact for more information?
You can contact the study team at 215-662-2081 or email MOVEON@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.