scholarly journals Heuristic Evaluation of a Top-Rated Diabetes Self-Management App

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (05) ◽  
pp. 1014-1020
Author(s):  
Linda Harrington ◽  
Cheryl Parker ◽  
Kathleen Ulanday ◽  
Craig Harrington
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Health ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Heuristic Evaluation ◽  
Pareto Analysis ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Usability Problem ◽  
Patients With Diabetes ◽  
Optimal Health ◽  
Mobile Health Apps

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usability of a top-rated diabetes app. Such apps are intended to markedly support the achievement of optimal health and financial outcomes by providing patients with substantive and continual support for self-management of their disease between periodic clinician visits. Poor usability can deter use which is especially concerning in patients with diabetes due to prevalence of the disease and impact of self-management on long-term prognosis. Methods A diabetes app was selected due to the prevalence and seriousness of the disease. A heuristic evaluation was then performed to collect and analyze data on the usability of the app based on Nielsen's heuristics. Pareto analysis was used to illustrate the contribution of each type of heuristic violation, augmented by a stacked bar chart illuminating associated severity. Results There were 51 heuristic violations on the opening screen, violating 6 of Nielsen's 10 heuristics. Pareto analysis revealed 29 (57%) of the heuristic violations involved a match between system and real world and 8 (16%) aesthetic and minimalist design. Severity ratings ranged from 1.0 to 4.0 (mean: 3.01) with 80% comprising a major usability problem and 6% a usability catastrophe. Conclusion Studies show that people with diabetes are more likely to receive greater benefit from a diabetes app if they are easy to use. The number and severity of heuristic violations in this study suggest that the commercialization of mobile health apps may play a factor in bypassing experts in clinical informatics during the design phase of development. Usability and associated benefits received from mobile health apps can be enhanced by debugging the user interface of identified heuristic violations during design. Waiting to correct ongoing usability issues while apps are in production can result in patients disengaging from use of digital health tools engendering poorer outcomes.

scholarly journals Development of a Personalized Apps to Inculcate Dietary Self-Management for Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients: A Need Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1325-1325
Author(s):  
Jun Hao Lim ◽  
Cordelia Kheng May Lim ◽  
Imliya Ibrahim ◽  
Jazlina Shahrul ◽  
Mohd Hazli Mohd Zabil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Maintenance Hemodialysis ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Need Analysis ◽  
Renal Diet ◽  
Poor Treatment ◽  
Mobile Health Apps

Abstract Objectives Dietary non-adherence is highly prevalent among maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients resulting in multitudes health complications and poor treatment outcomes. Given high penetration of smartphone, well-designed mobile health apps emerged as a potential tool to empower HD patients with dietary self-management skills. This need analysis study determined the perception and expectation of patients and dietitians on the features and the use of apps in dialysis care to foster development of evidence-based renal diet apps. Methods This was a mixed-method study with concurrent triangulation design. The quantitative arm involved HD patients (n = 184) through face-to-face interview and dietitians (n = 120) via anonymous online survey. While the qualitative arm consisted of 10 in-depth interviews (HD patients) and 8 email interviews (dietitians). Descriptive and thematic analyses were used, and the results were compared. Results A total of 69.6% of HD patients owned a smartphone. More than half (53.9%) of the smartphone users had the experience of searching health information especially nutrition-related topics (91.3%). Majority of them (78.9%) perceived renal diet apps as very important and were willing to use (80.5%). They agreed that renal diet apps can help them in preventing nutrition complications (82.0%), planning menu (78.9%) and monitoring nutrient intakes (82.8%). In the context of practising dietitians, 60.8% aware of the existence of renal diet apps but only 38.3% of them would recommend existing renal diet apps to their patients due to lack of local content (42.5%) and unsure credibility (37.5%). Most of them (88.3%) perceived that local-based renal diet app is needed and agreed that it can enhance dietetics care in HD population (90.8%). Top features anticipated by both patients and dietitians included plan or order, tailored assistance, usability and tracker. Conclusions Dietary self-management via mobile health apps seems to be feasible in the dialysis population given the high smartphone penetration, strong desire to use and positive perceptions from patients and dietitians. Features valued by patients and dietitians will be integrated into the design of the apps to promote acceptance and usage. Funding Sources This project is funded by the internal grant of Universiti Putra Malaysia (Inisiatif Putra Muda).

scholarly journals The Needle in the Haystack: Identifying Credible Mobile Health Apps for Pediatric Populations during a Pandemic and beyond

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 1106-1113
Author(s):  
Alexandra M Psihogios ◽  
Colleen Stiles-Shields ◽  
Martha Neary
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Health ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Health Behavior Change ◽  
Clinical Expertise ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Theoretical Support ◽  
Mobile Health Apps ◽  
Pediatric Populations ◽  
Mhealth Apps

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has ignited wider clinical adoption of digital health tools, including mobile health apps (mHealth apps), to address mental and behavioral health concerns at a distance. While mHealth apps offer many compelling benefits, identifying effective apps in the crowded and largely unregulated marketplace is laborious. Consumer demand and industry productivity are increasing, although research is slower, making it challenging for providers to determine the most credible and safe apps for patients in need. Objectives/Methods This commentary offers a practical, empirically guided framework and associated resources for selecting appropriate mHealth apps for pediatric populations during the pandemic and beyond. Results In the first stage, Narrow the target problem, end user, and contender apps. Beginning the search with continuously updated websites that contain expert app ratings can help expedite this process (e.g., Psyberguide). Second, Explore each contender app’s: (a) scientific and theoretical support (e.g., are app components consistent with health behavior change theories?), (b) privacy policies, and (c) user experience (e.g., through crowdsourcing feedback about app usability and appeal via social media). Third, use clinical expertise and stakeholder feedback to Contextualize whether the selected app is a good fit for a particular patient and/or caregiver (e.g., by considering age, race/ethnicity, ability, gender, sexual orientation, technology access), including conducting a brief self-pilot of the app. Conclusion Youth are increasingly turning to technology for support, especially during the pandemic, and pediatric psychologists must be primed to recommend the most credible tools. We offer additional recommendations for rapidly disseminating evidence-based apps to the public.

scholarly journals The Use of Health IT for Chronic Disease Management: A comprehensive review of diabetes applications used for self-management of the disease (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorrin Robinson ◽  
Jamesa Hogges ◽  
Ingrid Brown ◽  
Kennedy Craig ◽  
Akasha Lawrence ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Disease Management ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Chronic Disease Management ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Consumer Reviews ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Apple Ios ◽  
Mobile Health Apps

BACKGROUND Mobile health (mHealth) smartphone applications (apps) have shown promise in the self-management of chronic disease. Management of key disease variances can be performed through these applications to increase patient engagement in disease self-management. In today’s oversaturated health app market, what selection criteria do consumers employ to choose mobile health apps for disease self-management? App quality is critical in monitoring disease controls but is often linked to consumer popularity rather clinical recommendations of effectiveness in disease management. This paper provides a comprehensive review of features found in mobile health apps frequently used in the self-management of diabetes. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to review features of frequently used and high consumer-rated mobile health apps used in the self-management of diabetes within the Apple iOS store. These applications were cross-referenced against high consumer-rated health apps found in other online diabetes sources. This study aimed to highlight key features of consumer-favored mobile health apps used in the self-management of diabetes. METHODS A primary Apple iOS store search was conducted using the term “diabetes apps” on an Apple iPad. The top five most frequently used mobile health apps were identified and rated by the number of consumer reviews, application ratings, and the presence of key diabetes management features: dietary blood glucose, A1C, insulin, physical activity and prescription medication. A subsequent Google search was conducted using the search term “best Apple diabetes apps”. The top three search results – Healthline, Everyday Health, and Diabetes Apps, American Diabetes Association – were explored. The top five frequently used apps among those sources were examined against the same Apple iOS criteria. RESULTS Twelve mobile health apps were reviewed in total due to repetition in popularity across the four evaluated sources. Only one health app – Glucose Buddy Diabetes Tracker – appeared most frequently used within the Apple iOS store and across the other three sources. The OneTouch Reveal app ranked first on the list in the iOS store with 39,000 consumer reviews and a rating of 4.7 out of 5.0 stars while only appearing once among the other sources. Blood glucose tracking was evident across all apps, but other disease management features varied in type with at least three of the five key features being present across the 12 reviewed apps. Subscription costs and integration needs were present which could play a major role in consumer app selection. While mobile app preference was assessed and defined by the number of consumer reviews and star ratings, there were no scientific standards used in the selection and ranking of the health apps within this study. CONCLUSIONS Mobile health applications (apps) have shown promise in chronic disease management, but a surge in development of these non-regulated health solutions points to a need for standards in quality. A governing body of health information technology, clinical, policymaking, and other industry stakeholders, including patients, could be beneficial in defining health application standards for effective chronic disease management. Variabilities in features, cost, and other management inconsistencies could be diminished by regulatory uniformity and increase both patient engagement activities and disease outcomes.

Contribution of mobile health applications to self-management by consumers: review of published evidence

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Anderson ◽  
Lynne M. Emmerton
Keyword(s):  
Health Policy ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Chronic Health Conditions ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Australian Health ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Mobile Health Apps

Objective The aim of the present study was to review the contribution of mobile health applications (‘apps’) to consumers’ self-management of chronic health conditions, and the potential for this practice to inform health policy, procedures and guidelines. Methods A search was performed on the MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, ProQuest and Global Health (Ovid) databases using the search terms ‘mobile app*’, ‘self-care’, ‘self-monitoring’, ‘trial’, ‘intervention*’ and various medical conditions. The search was supplemented with manual location of emerging literature and government reports. Mapping review methods identified relevant titles and abstracts, followed by review of content to determine extant research, reports addressing the key questions, and gaps suggesting areas for future research. Available studies were organised by disease state, and presented in a narrative analysis. Results Four studies describing the results of clinical trials were identified from Canada, England, Taiwan and Australia; all but the Australian study used custom-made apps. The available studies examined the effect of apps in health monitoring, reporting positive but not robust findings. Australian public policy and government reports acknowledge and support self-management, but do not address the potential contribution of mobile interventions. Conclusions There are limited controlled trials testing the contribution of health apps to consumers’ self-management. Further evidence in this field is required to inform health policy and practice relating to self-management. What is known about the topic? Australian health policy encourages self-care by health consumers to reduce expenditure in health services. A fundamental component of self-care in chronic health conditions is self-monitoring, which can be used to assess progress towards treatment goals, as well as signs and symptoms of disease exacerbation. An abundance of mobile health apps is available for self-monitoring. What does this study add? A limited number of randomised control trials have assessed the clinical impact of health apps for self-monitoring. The body of evidence relating to current and long-term clinical impact is developing. Despite endorsing self-care, Australian health policy does not address the use and potential contribution of mobile health apps to health care. What are the implications? Widespread and sustained use of validated mobile health apps for chronic health conditions should have potential to improve consumer independence, confidence and burden on health services in the longer term. However, a significant body of scientific evidence has not yet been established; this is mirrored in the lack of acknowledgement of health apps in Australian health policy referring to consumers’ self-management.

scholarly journals Mobile Health to Maintain Continuity of Patient-Centered Care for Chronic Kidney Disease: Content Analysis of Apps (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying-Li Lee ◽  
Yan-Yan Cui ◽  
Ming-Hsiang Tu ◽  
Yu-Chi Chen ◽  
Polun Chang
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Patient Centered Care ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Centered Care ◽  
Mobile Health Apps

BACKGROUND Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health problem with a high economic burden, which is particularly prevalent in Taiwan. Mobile health apps have been widely used to maintain continuity of patient care for various chronic diseases. To slow the progression of CKD, continuity of care is vital for patients’ self-management and cooperation with health care professionals. However, the literature provides a limited understanding of the use of mobile health apps to maintain continuity of patient-centered care for CKD. OBJECTIVE This study identified apps related to the continuity of patient-centered care for CKD on the App Store, Google Play, and 360 Mobile Assistant, and explored the information and frequency of changes in these apps available to the public on different platforms. App functionalities, like patient self-management and patient management support for health care professionals, were also examined. METHODS We used the CKD-related keywords “kidney,” “renal,” “nephro,” “chronic kidney disease,” “CKD,” and “kidney disease” in traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese, and English to search 3 app platforms: App Store, Google Play, and 360 Mobile Assistant. A total of 2 reviewers reached consensus on coding guidelines and coded the contents and functionalities of the apps through content analysis. After coding, Microsoft Office Excel 2016 was used to calculate Cohen kappa coefficients and analyze the contents and functionalities of the apps. RESULTS A total of 177 apps related to patient-centered care for CKD in any language were included. On the basis of their functionality and content, 67 apps were recommended for patients. Among them, the most common functionalities were CKD information and CKD self-management (38/67, 57%), e-consultation (17/67, 25%), CKD nutrition education (16/67, 24%), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculators (13/67, 19%). In addition, 67 apps were recommended for health care professionals. The most common functionalities of these apps were comprehensive clinical calculators (including eGFR; 30/67; 45%), CKD medical professional information (16/67, 24%), stand-alone eGFR calculators (14/67, 21%), and CKD clinical decision support (14/67, 21%). A total of 43 apps with single- or multiple-indicator calculators were found to be suitable for health care professionals and patients. The aspects of patient care apps intended to support self-management of CKD patients were encouraging patients to actively participate in health care (92/110, 83.6%), recognizing and effectively responding to symptoms (56/110, 50.9%), and disease-specific knowledge (53/110, 48.2%). Only 13 apps contained consulting management functions, patient management functions or teleconsultation functions designed to support health care professionals in CKD patient management. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed that the continuity of patient-centered care for CKD provided by mobile health apps is inadequate for both CKD self-management by patients and patient care support for health care professionals. More comprehensive solutions are required to enhance the continuity of patient-centered care for CKD.

scholarly journals Mobile Health Apps for Self-Management of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases: Systematic Literature Review (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurélie Najm ◽  
Laure Gossec ◽  
Catherine Weill ◽  
David Benoist ◽  
Francis Berenbaum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Health ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Musculoskeletal Diseases ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Moderate Quality ◽  
Mobile Health Apps ◽  
Willingness To Use ◽  
Development Methods ◽  
Mhealth Apps

BACKGROUND Although the increasing availability of mobile health (mHealth) apps may enable people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) to better self-manage their health, there is a general lack of evidence on ways to ensure appropriate development and evaluation of apps. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to obtain an overview on existing mHealth apps for self-management in patients with RMDs, focusing on content and development methods. METHODS A search was performed up to December 2017 across 5 databases. For each publication relevant to an app for RMDs, information on the disease, purpose, content, and development strategies was extracted and qualitatively assessed. RESULTS Of 562 abstracts, 32 were included in the analysis. Of these 32 abstracts, 11 (34%) referred to an app linked to a connected device. Most of the apps targeted rheumatoid arthritis (11/32, 34%). The top three aspects addressed by the apps were pain (23/32, 71%), fatigue (15/32, 47%), and physical activity (15/32, 47%). The development process of the apps was described in 84% (27/32) of the articles and was of low to moderate quality in most of the cases. Despite most of the articles having been published within the past two years, only 5 apps were still commercially available at the time of our search. Moreover, only very few studies showed improvement of RMD outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS The development process of most apps was of low or moderate quality in many studies. Owing to the increasing RMD patients’ willingness to use mHealth apps for self-management, optimal standards and quality assurance of new apps are mandatory.

scholarly journals Mobile Health Apps for Self-Management of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases: Systematic Literature Review

10.2196/14730 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. e14730 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurélie Najm ◽  
Laure Gossec ◽  
Catherine Weill ◽  
David Benoist ◽  
Francis Berenbaum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Health ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Musculoskeletal Diseases ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Moderate Quality ◽  
Mobile Health Apps ◽  
Willingness To Use ◽  
Development Methods ◽  
Mhealth Apps

Background Although the increasing availability of mobile health (mHealth) apps may enable people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) to better self-manage their health, there is a general lack of evidence on ways to ensure appropriate development and evaluation of apps. Objective This study aimed to obtain an overview on existing mHealth apps for self-management in patients with RMDs, focusing on content and development methods. Methods A search was performed up to December 2017 across 5 databases. For each publication relevant to an app for RMDs, information on the disease, purpose, content, and development strategies was extracted and qualitatively assessed. Results Of 562 abstracts, 32 were included in the analysis. Of these 32 abstracts, 11 (34%) referred to an app linked to a connected device. Most of the apps targeted rheumatoid arthritis (11/32, 34%). The top three aspects addressed by the apps were pain (23/32, 71%), fatigue (15/32, 47%), and physical activity (15/32, 47%). The development process of the apps was described in 84% (27/32) of the articles and was of low to moderate quality in most of the cases. Despite most of the articles having been published within the past two years, only 5 apps were still commercially available at the time of our search. Moreover, only very few studies showed improvement of RMD outcome measures. Conclusions The development process of most apps was of low or moderate quality in many studies. Owing to the increasing RMD patients’ willingness to use mHealth apps for self-management, optimal standards and quality assurance of new apps are mandatory.

scholarly journals Feasibility and Acceptability of Using Smartphone Apps in Diabetes Self-Management in an Underserved Population: Qualitative Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Luo ◽  
Shelley White-Means
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Underserved Populations ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Patients With Diabetes

BACKGROUND The successful management of diabetes is a chronic endeavor. It involves a whole host of factors ranging from a consistent patient-provider relationship to regular physical activity. Not all patients with diabetes, however, have access to the resources needed for effective disease management. Health disparities contribute to a higher frequency of diabetes development in poor and minority populations. Moreover, health care disparities limit the care these patient populations receive. Because underserved populations have little to no access to traditional means of health care, providers must explore other avenues to reach this patient group. Mobile health (mHealth) has grown significantly in the last decade. With the fast-paced adoption of cell phones across all socioeconomic groups, mobile health presents the opportunity to offer patients a low-cost way to receive health information, to communicate with providers, and to self-manage chronic conditions. It has been well established that low-income, minority populations experience several barriers to receiving basic health care including uninsurance, limited transportation, and high out-of-pocket costs. The provision of health care via mobile devices may have the potential to address such health disparities. Little is known about the effectiveness of using mobile health and smartphone applications (apps) in underserved populations to help with diabetes management. Knowledge of these patients’ interest in using mobile apps to augment their home self-management may have use in future implementations. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to examine the perception of and willingness to use diabetes mobile health apps on smartphones in patients with limited access to primary care providers. METHODS This study used purposive sampling to select patients for personal interviews. The study was conducted at a general hospital located in a part of town with predominate minority and low-income residency, as well as the highest diabetes prevalence rates. Semi-structured interviews were conducted according to McNamara’s interview staging. A total of 15 interviews were collected and coded by the researcher according to the interpretative phenomenological analysis framework. An independent committee reviewed all interview transcripts and coding to verify trustworthiness of collection and analysis. RESULTS The data produced 7 clusters related to smartphone app use and mHealth, each highlighting a component of the patient experience, which supported 3 overarching themes. The themes are as follows: despite limited knowledge about health apps and varying phone use patterns, patients were all willing to try at least one diabetes-related app; apps functions should be individualized to meet each patient’s needs for maximum benefit; and barriers to app use were varied but commonly included knowledge and technological challenges and security issues. CONCLUSIONS Personal interviews of this underserved patient population demonstrated an interest in and willingness to try mobile health apps, despite limited knowledge about the technology. Responses indicate that tailoring app choices to individual needs, instead of choosing a multi-functional one-size-fits-all app, would provide the most benefit for at-home diabetes self-management. Smartphone apps may serve as a viable low-cost resource for patients with diabetes who have limited access to traditional health care providers.

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