User-Centered Design of a Mobile App to Support Peer Recovery in a Clinical Setting

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (CSCW1) ◽  
pp. 1-31
Author(s):  
Jessica A. Pater ◽  
Chanda Phelan ◽  
Victor P. Cornet ◽  
Ryan Ahmed ◽  
Sarah Colletta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Setting ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
User Centered

scholarly journals User-Centered Design of a Mobile App for Weight and Health Management in Adolescents With Complex Health Needs: Qualitative Study

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan Rivera ◽  
Amy C McPherson ◽  
Jill Hamilton ◽  
Catherine Birken ◽  
Michael Coons ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
User Centered

scholarly journals Development of the InCharge Health Mobile App to Improve Adherence to Hydroxyurea in Patients With Sickle Cell Disease: User-Centered Design Approach

10.2196/14884 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. e14884 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole M Alberts ◽  
Sherif M Badawy ◽  
Jason Hodges ◽  
Jeremie H Estepp ◽  
Chinonyelum Nwosu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Cell Disease ◽  
Mhealth Intervention ◽  
Acute Health Care ◽  
User Centered

Background Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder causing acute complications and chronic progressive end organ damage. SCD is associated with significant morbidity, early mortality, impaired health-related quality of life, and increased acute health care utilization. Hydroxyurea is a US Food and Drug Administration–approved medication that reduces disease complications, acute health care utilization, and costs. However, adherence to hydroxyurea is suboptimal. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions have the potential to improve hydroxyurea adherence, but few examples exist that are specific to the SCD population. Objective This study aimed to design a mHealth intervention for individuals with SCD to improve adherence to hydroxyurea, using a user-centered design that was informed by specific barriers to hydroxyurea adherence and utilization in this population. Methods This study consisted of 4 phases. In phase 1, individuals with SCD and health care providers participated in an optimization digital workshop. In phase 2, patients completed surveys pertaining to their interest in mHealth use, barriers and facilitators to hydroxyurea use, and health literacy. Phases 3 and 4 involved semistructured interviews and focus groups, respectively, and used the Health Belief Model (HBM) as the framework to investigate drivers of poor hydroxyurea adherence and to inform the development of an app prototype. In addition, in phase 4, we have incorporated the patients’ feedback on the preliminary app prototype and its features. Results Barriers to hydroxyurea adherence were consistent with the literature and included forgetfulness and several specific thoughts and emotions associated with hydroxyurea use (eg, fear of side effects, depression, stigma, and hopelessness). In addition, more than half of the participants reported potentially low health literacy. Preferred patient app features included 7 key components, namely (1) medication reminders and tracker, (2) disease education, (3) communication, (4) personalization, (5) motivation, (6) support during pain episodes, and (7) social support. Utilizing a user-centered design approach, data obtained from patients and providers were translated into features within the app, mapping to components of the HBM and the specific drivers of hydroxyurea adherence and matching the literacy level of the population, resulting in the development of a novel mobile app called InCharge Health. Conclusions The InCharge Health app is an mHealth intervention developed with substantial input from users and by mapping the HBM as the framework that guided the choice for its components. InCharge Health is a customized product for the SCD population aimed at optimizing medication adherence, with the end goal of improving quality of life and health outcomes among patients with SCD. The efficacy and implementation of the InCharge Health app as an mHealth intervention to promote hydroxyurea adherence will be tested in a future stepped-wedge multicenter trial for adolescents and adults with SCD.

scholarly journals Core Components for a Clinically Integrated mHealth App for Asthma Symptom Monitoring

2017 ◽  
Vol 08 (04) ◽  
pp. 1031-1043 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Rudin ◽  
Christopher Fanta ◽  
Zachary Predmore ◽  
Kevin Kron ◽  
Maria Edelen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Asthma Symptom ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Symptom Monitoring ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Core Components ◽  
Reported Data ◽  
User Centered

Background mHealth apps may be useful tools for supporting chronic disease management. Objective Our aim was to apply user-centered design principles to efficiently identify core components for an mHealth-based asthma symptom–monitoring intervention using patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Methods We iteratively combined principles of qualitative research, user-centered design, and “gamification” to understand patients' and providers' needs, develop and refine intervention components, develop prototypes, and create a usable mobile app to integrate with clinical workflows. We identified anticipated benefits and burdens for stakeholders. Results We conducted 19 individual design sessions with nine adult patients and seven clinicians from an academic medical center (some were included multiple times). We identified four core intervention components: (1) Invitation—patients are invited by their physicians. (2) Symptom checks—patients receive weekly five-item questionnaires via the app with 48 hours to respond. Depending on symptoms, patients may be given the option to request a call from a nurse or receive one automatically. (3) Patient review—in the app, patients can view their self-reported data graphically. (4) In-person visit—physicians have access to patient-reported symptoms in the electronic health record (EHR) where they can review them before in-person visits. As there is currently no location in the EHR where physicians would consistently notice these data, recording a recent note was the best option. Benefits to patients may include helping decide when to call their provider and facilitating shared decision making. Benefits to providers may include saving time discussing symptoms. Provider organizations may need to pay nurses extra, but those costs may be offset by reduced visits and hospitalizations. Conclusion Recent systematic reviews show inconsistent outcomes and little insight into functionalities required for mHealth asthma interventions, highlighting the need for systematic intervention design. We identified specific features for adoption and engagement that meet the stated needs of users for asthma symptom monitoring.

scholarly journals Counseling Mobile App to Reduce the Psychosocial Impact of HPV-Testing: Formative research from a user-centered design approach in a low-middle income setting in Argentina (Preprint)

10.2196/32610 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Sanchez Antelo ◽  
Lucila Szwarc ◽  
Melisa Paolino ◽  
Diana Saimovici ◽  
Silvia Massaccesi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Formative Research ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Psychosocial Impact ◽  
Design Approach ◽  
Hpv Testing ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
User Centered

scholarly journals Untold Stories in User-Centered Design of Mobile Health: Practical Challenges and Strategies Learned From the Design and Evaluation of an App for Older Adults With Heart Failure

10.2196/17703 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. e17703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Philip Cornet ◽  
Tammy Toscos ◽  
Davide Bolchini ◽  
Romisa Rohani Ghahari ◽  
Ryan Ahmed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Stakeholder Involvement ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Mhealth Apps ◽  
Practical Recommendations ◽  
Challenges And Strategies ◽  
User Centered

Background User-centered design (UCD) is a powerful framework for creating useful, easy-to-use, and satisfying mobile health (mHealth) apps. However, the literature seldom reports the practical challenges of implementing UCD, particularly in the field of mHealth. Objective This study aims to characterize the practical challenges encountered and propose strategies when implementing UCD for mHealth. Methods Our multidisciplinary team implemented a UCD process to design and evaluate a mobile app for older adults with heart failure. During and after this process, we documented the challenges the team encountered and the strategies they used or considered using to address those challenges. Results We identified 12 challenges, 3 about UCD as a whole and 9 across the UCD stages of formative research, design, and evaluation. Challenges included the timing of stakeholder involvement, overcoming designers’ assumptions, adapting methods to end users, and managing heterogeneity among stakeholders. To address these challenges, practical recommendations are provided to UCD researchers and practitioners. Conclusions UCD is a gold standard approach that is increasingly adopted for mHealth projects. Although UCD methods are well-described and easily accessible, practical challenges and strategies for implementing them are underreported. To improve the implementation of UCD for mHealth, we must tell and learn from these traditionally untold stories.

scholarly journals SwapMyMood: User-Centered Design and Development of a Mobile App to Support Executive Function

2020 ◽  
pp. 259-265
Author(s):  
Tracey D. Wallace ◽  
John T. Morris
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Smartphone Application ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Based Instruction ◽  
Step Program ◽  
User Centered

AbstractThis paper describes the research and development of the SwapMyMood smartphone application designed to support use of evidence-based executive function strategies by people with traumatic brain injury. Executive dysfunction is a common sequela of traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting in diminished cognitive-behavioral functioning. Problem-solving and emotion regulation are cognitive-behavioral functions that are often disrupted by changes in the executive control system. SwapMyMood is an electronic version of the Executive Plus/STEP program, a set of clinical techniques taught to people living with brain injury to help them 1) identify and implement solutions to problems encountered in daily life and 2) to utilize the emotion cycle to understand and regulate emotional responses to these problems. The Executive Plus/STEP program has until now relied on paper-based instruction and use. Input from target users – people with brain injury and clinical professionals who teach this program to their patients – has contributed to key refinements of features and functioning of the mobile app. Data gathered from target user participation in the user-centered design process are presented. Future directions for ongoing development of technologies to support executive function strategies are also discussed.

Counseling Mobile App to Reduce the Psychosocial Impact of HPV-Testing: Formative research from a user-centered design approach in a low-middle income setting in Argentina (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Sanchez Antelo ◽  
Lucila Szwarc ◽  
Melisa Paolino ◽  
Diana Saimovici ◽  
Silvia Massaccesi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Formative Research ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Psychosocial Impact ◽  
Design Approach ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Hpv Testing ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Positive Results ◽  
User Centered

BACKGROUND Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing detects sexually transmitted infection with oncogenic types of HPV. For many HPV-positive women, this result has negative connotations. It produces anxiety, fear of cancer or death, and disease denial. Face-to-face counseling could present many difficulties in its implementation but a counseling mobile-app could be practical and may help HPV-positive women reduce the psychosocial impact of the result, improve their knowledge on HPV and cervical cancer, and increase adherence to follow-up. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to understand HPV-tested women’s perceptions about an app as a tool to receive information and support to reduce the emotional impact of HPV-positive results. We investigated their preferences regarding app design, content, and framing. METHODS We conducted formative research based on a user-centered design approach. We carried out 29 individual online interviews with HPV-positive women aged 30 and over, and four focus groups with 19 women through a virtual platform. We shared a draft of the app's potential screens with a provisional label of the possible content, options menus, draft illustrations, and wording. This allowed us to give women understandable triggers to debate the concepts involved in each screen. The draft content and labels were developed drawing from the Health Belief Model (HBM) and Integrative Behavioral Model’s (IBM) variables and findings of mHealth literature. We used a focus group guide to generate data for the information architecture (i.e., how to organize contents into features). We carried out thematic analysis using constructs from the HBM and IBM to identify content preferences and turn them into app features. We used the RQDA package of R software for data processing. RESULTS We found that participants required more information regarding the procedures they had received, what HPV-positive means, what the causes of HPV are, and its consequences on their sexuality. The women mentioned fear of the disease and stated they had concerns and misconceptions, such as believing that HPV-positive is a synonym for cancer. They accepted the app as a tool to obtain information and to reduce fears related to HPV-positive results. They would use a mobile app under doctor or health authority recommendation. The women did not agree with the draft organization of screens and contents. They believed the app should first offer information on HPV and then provide customized content according to the users’ needs. The app should provide information via videos with experts and testimonies of other HPV-positive women and suggested a medical appointment reminder feature. The app should also offer information through illustrations, or infographics, but not pictures or solely text. CONCLUSIONS Providing information that meets women’s needs and counseling could be a method to reduce fears. A mobile-app seems to be an acceptable and suitable tool to help HPV-positive women. CLINICALTRIAL N/A

scholarly journals How Inclusive, User-Centered Design Research Can Improve Psychological Therapies for Psychosis: Development of SlowMo (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Hardy ◽  
Anna Wojdecka ◽  
Jonathan West ◽  
Ed Matthews ◽  
Christopher Golby ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Design Research ◽  
Psychological Intervention ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
User Profiling ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Interpersonal Support ◽  
User Centered

BACKGROUND Real-world implementation of psychological interventions for psychosis is poor. Barriers include therapy being insufficiently usable and useful for a diverse range of people. User-centered, inclusive design approaches could improve the usability of therapy, which may increase uptake, adherence, and effectiveness. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to optimize the usability of an existing psychological intervention, Thinking Well, which targets reasoning processes in paranoia using a basic digital interface. METHODS We conducted inclusive, user-centered design research characterized by purposive sampling of extreme users from the margins of groups, ethnographic investigation of the problem context, and iterative prototyping of solutions. The UK Design Council’s double diamond method was used. This consisted of 4 phases: discover, including a case series of Thinking Well, stakeholder interviews, desk research, user profiling, system mapping, and a mood board; define, consisting of workshops to synthesize findings and generate the design brief; develop, involving concept workshops and prototype testing; and deliver, in which the final minimal viable product was storyboarded and iteratively coded. RESULTS Consistent with our previous work, the Thinking Well case series showed medium to large effects on paranoia and well-being and small effects on reasoning. These were maintained at follow-up despite some participants reporting difficulties with the therapy interface. Insights from the discover phase confirmed that usability was challenged by information complexity and poor accessibility. Participants were generally positive about the potential of technology to be enjoyable, help manage paranoia, and provide tailored interpersonal support from therapists and peers, although they reported privacy and security concerns. The define phase highlighted that the therapy redesign should support monitoring, simplify information processing, enhance enjoyment and trust, promote personalization and normalization, and offer flexible interpersonal support. During the develop phase over 60 concepts were created, with 2 key concepts of thoughts visualized as bubbles and therapy as a journey selected for storyboarding. The output of the deliver phase was a minimal viable product of an innovative digital therapy, SlowMo. SlowMo works by helping people to notice their worries and fast thinking habits, and encourages them to slow down for a moment to find ways of feeling safer. A Web app supports the delivery of 8 face-to-face sessions, which are synchronized to a native mobile app. CONCLUSIONS SlowMo makes use of personalization, ambient information, and visual metaphors to tailor the appeal, engagement, and memorability of therapy to a diversity of needs. Feasibility testing has been promising, and the efficacy of SlowMo therapy is now being tested in a multicentered randomized controlled trial. The study demonstrates that developments in psychological theory and techniques can be enhanced by improving the usability of the therapy interface to optimize its impact in daily life.

scholarly journals Reducing Cancer Care Partner Burden: A User-Centered Design Approach for an mHealth App (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid Oakley-Girvan ◽  
Sharon Watkins Davis ◽  
Allison Kurian ◽  
Lisa G. Rosas ◽  
Jena Daniels ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Informal Care ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Design Approach ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Care Partners ◽  
User Centered

BACKGROUND Informal care partners are essential partners in the delivery of complex cancer care services at home, and about 25% of those caring for cancer patients spend more than 40 hours a week providing services. Care partners frequently suffer psychological, behavioral, and physiological effects that can not only affect the patients’ mental and physical health, but also impair the care partners’ health. OBJECTIVE In this paper, we describe a user-centered design approach to build an mHealth smartphone app to provide support and resources to informal care partners while enabling them to remotely monitor the cancer survivor’s health for unanticipated adverse events, thereby reducing burden for clinical staff. METHODS An iterative information gathering process was conducted that included a) potential customer discussions with 138 people to assess health care value propositions and corresponding benefit modules; b) semi-structured interviews with clinicians (N=3), cancer patients (N=3) and care partners (N=3) to identify needs and interests, and; c) a 28-day beta iOS user testing with feasibility and acceptability feedback from 7 care partners in two geographically different academic cancer centers (Duke and Stanford). This study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04018677). RESULTS The interviews conducted prior to developing the mHealth app prototype identified areas of consistency in responses between different stakeholder groups in terms of how the mobile app should work, as well as areas of difference. The beta test of the prototype indicated satisfaction with the app’s usability. Care partners preferred to focus primarily on the patient’s health and not their own, and regular surveys on the patient’s symptoms helped educate care partners and reduce their anxiety. CONCLUSIONS This study describes the user-centered design process and demonstrates the feasibility and acceptability of TOGETHERCareTM, an iOS smartphone app for informal cancer care partners. Larger studies, in various oncology populations, are needed to establish the efficacy of the app in reducing care partner burden and to facilitate critical remote monitoring CLINICALTRIAL

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