BACKGROUND
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the central importance of health care workers’ (HCWs) mental health and wellbeing for the successful function of the health care system. Few targeted digital tools exist to support HCWs’ mental health and none appear to have been co-designed with end users.
OBJECTIVE
RMHive is being developed as a mobile app to support the mental health challenges being posed by COVID-19 to HCWs using experience-based co-design (EBCD) processes. We present the Impact Evaluation protocol for the rapid design and delivery of the RMHive mobile app.
METHODS
The Impact Evaluation will adopt a mixed-methods approach. Qualitative data from photo interviews undertaken with HCWs exploring needs and experiences, and semi-structured interviews conducted with governance stakeholders during design development and implementation will be integrated with quantitative user analytics data and user generated demographic and mental health data entered into the app. Analyses will address three evaluation questions related to: (1) engagement with and use of the mobile app; (2) implementation and integration; and (3) the quantifiable and qualitative impacts on individual mental health. The mobile app design and development will be described using the mobile health (mHealth) evidence reporting and assessment (mERA) guidelines. Implementation of the app will be evaluated using Normalisation Process Theory (NPT) as a framework to analyse qualitative data combined with text and video analysis from semi-structured interviews. Mental health impacts will be assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ4) total score and subscale scores for the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ2) for depression and Generalised Anxiety Scale (GAD2) for anxiety. The PHQ4 will be completed at download (baseline), then at 14 and 28 days.
RESULTS
The anticipated use period of the app is an average of 30 days. The rapid design will occur over four months using EBCD approaches to collect qualitative data and develop app content. The Impact Evaluation will monitor outcome data for up to 12 weeks following the Minimal Viable Product release. The study received funding and institutional ethics approvals in June, 2020. Outcome data is expected to be available in March, 2021 and the Impact Evaluation published mid 2021.
CONCLUSIONS
The Impact Evaluation will examine the rapid design, development and implementation of the RMHive app and the mental health and wellbeing outcomes for HCWs. Evaluation outcomes will provide guidance for the integration of EBCD in rapid design and implementation processes. Outcomes will inform future development and roll out of the app programmatically to support the mental health needs of HCWs more widely.
An Impact Evaluation protocol for the rapid design and delivery of an experience-based co-designed mobile app to support the mental health needs of healthcare workers impacted by COVID-19. (Preprint)
