scholarly journals Measuring Success of Patients' Continuous Use of Mobile Health Services for Self-Management of Chronic Conditions: A Theoretical Model and Empirical Test with Hypertensive Patients (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting Song ◽  
Ning Deng ◽  
Tingru Cui ◽  
Siyu Qian ◽  
Fang Liu ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Mobile health services are gradually being introduced to support patients' self-management of chronic conditions. The success of these services is contingent upon patients' continuous use of them. OBJECTIVE This study aims to develop a model to measure the success of patients' continuous use of mobile health services for self-management of chronic conditions. METHODS The proposed model was derived from the Information Systems Continuance Model and Information Systems Success Model. The model contained seven theoretical constructs: information quality, system quality, service quality, perceived usefulness, user satisfaction, perceived health status, and continuous use intention. An online questionnaire survey instrument was developed to test the model. The survey was conducted to collect data from 129 patients who used a mobile health app for hypertension management from 2017 to 2019. The questionnaire items were derived from the validated instruments and were measured by a five-point Likert Scale. The partial least square modelling method was used to test the theoretical model. RESULTS The model accounted for 58.5% of the variance in perceived usefulness (R2=.585), 52.3% of the variance in user satisfaction (R2=.523), and 41.4% of the variance in patients' intention to make continuous use of mobile health services (R2=.414). The continuous use intention was significantly influenced by their perceived health status (β=.195, P=.034), the perceived usefulness (β=.307, P=.004) and user satisfaction (β=.254, P=.037) with the mobile health service. Information quality (β=.235, P=.005), system quality (β=.192, P=.022) and service quality (β=.494, P<.001) had a significant positive influence on perceived usefulness, but not on user satisfaction. Perceived usefulness had a significant positive influence on user satisfaction (β=.664, P<.001). In a result opposite to the original hypothesis, perceived health status did not negatively influence patients' intention to continue using the mobile health service but showed a significant, positive correlation. CONCLUSIONS This study developed a theoretical model to predict and explain patients' continuous use of mobile health services for self-management of chronic conditions and empirically tested the model. Perceived usefulness, user satisfaction and health status contributed to patients' intention to make continuous use of mobile health services for self-managing their chronic conditions.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuntal Chowdhary ◽  
Daihua Xie Yu ◽  
Gede Pramana ◽  
Andrea Fairman ◽  
Brad Edward Dicianno ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Mobile health (mHealth) systems have been shown to be useful in supporting self-management by promoting adherence to schedules and longitudinal health interventions, especially in people with disabilities (PwD). The Interactive Mobile Health and Rehabilitation (iMHere) System was developed to empower PwD and those with chronic conditions with supports needed for self-management and independent living. Since the first iteration of the iMHere 1.0 app, several studies have evaluated accessibility and usability of the system. Potential opportunities to improve and simplify the user interface (UI) were identified, and the iMHere modules were redesigned accordingly. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the usability of the redesigned modules within iMHere 1.0. METHODS This study evaluated the original and redesigned MyMeds and SkinCare modules. To assess the participants’ dexterity levels, the Purdue Pegboard Test (PPBT) was administered. Participants were then asked to perform a set of tasks using both the original and redesigned MyMeds and SkinCare modules to assess efficiency and effectiveness. Usability was measured using the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ) to evaluate 10 new accessibility features that were added to the redesigned app. Participants were also asked which version they preferred. RESULTS Twenty-four participants with disabilities and varied degrees of dexterity impairments completed the entire study protocol. Participants displayed improved efficiency and effectiveness of use when using the redesigned modules, as compared to the original modules. Participants also reported improved usability and preferred the redesigned modules. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that the iMHere System became more efficient, effective, and usable for individuals with dexterity impairments after redesigning it according to user-centered principles.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 263355652110397
Author(s):  
Martin Fortin ◽  
Moira Stewart ◽  
José Almirall ◽  
Djamal Berbiche ◽  
Mathieu Bélanger ◽  
...  

Context Interventions for people with multimorbidity have obtained mixed results. We aimed to document the long-term effect of an intervention for people with multimorbidity. Methods 284 patients (18–80 years) presenting three or more chronic conditions were recruited from seven family medicine groups in the Saguenay-Lac St-Jean region, Quebec, Canada. The patient-centered intervention was based on motivational approach and self-management support. Outcomes were evaluated in a one-year pre-post study design with questionnaires that included the Health Education Questionnaire (heiQ), the Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Diseases, the Veteran RAND-12 Health Survey (VR-12), the EuroQoL 5-Domains questionnaire, the Kessler six item Psychological Stress Scale, and measures of smoking habit, physical activity, healthy eating and alcohol consumption. Subgroup analyses by age, number of conditions, sex, and income were also conducted. Results The heiQ domain of emotional wellbeing improved significantly. Improvement was also observed for the VR-12 and the K6. Among the health behaviours, only healthy eating was improved. Subgroup analyses in this exploratory study suggest that younger patients, those with lower number of chronic conditions or higher incomes may respond better in relation to self-management, health status and health behaviours. Conclusion One year after the intervention, participants significantly improved a variety of outcomes. Subgroup analyses suggest that younger patients, those with lower number of chronic conditions or higher incomes may respond better in relation to self-management, health status and health behaviours. This suggests that future interventions should be tailored to patients’ characteristics including age, sex, income and number of conditions.


1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret J. Penning ◽  
Neena L. Chappell

ABSTRACTThis paper examines the prevalence, inter-relationships and correlates of various forms of self, informal and formal care. Analyses of data drawn from a random sample of 743 non-institutionalised elderly individuals living in Winnipeg, Manitoba reveal similarities as well as differences among the three types of care. Self- and formal care are somewhat similar, being positively related and having similar correlates. Nevertheless, substitutability as a consequence of medical scepticism is also evident. Both are unrelated to informal care. It is poor health in the form of functional disability and the availability of support through the marital relationship which are the strongest correlates of informal care. In contrast, health (chronic conditions and perceived health status) as well as beliefs in the efficacy of both preventative health behaviours and medical services are among the strongest correlates of self- and formal care.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Made Agus Setiawan ◽  
Leming Zhou ◽  
Zakiy Alfikri ◽  
Andi Saptono ◽  
Andrea D Fairman ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Persons with chronic conditions and disabilities (PwCCDs) are vulnerable to secondary complications. Many of these secondary complications are preventable with proactive self-management and proper support. To enhance PwCCDs' self-management skills and conveniently receive desired support, we have developed a mobile health (mHealth) system called iMHere. In 2 previous clinical trials, iMHere was successfully used to improve health outcomes of adult participants with spina bifida and spinal cord injury. To further expand use of iMHere among people with various types of disabilities and chronic diseases, the system needs to be more adaptive to address 3 unique challenges: 1) PwCCDs have very diverse needs with regards to self-management support, 2) PwCCDs’ self-management needs may change over time, and 3) it is a challenge to keep PwCCDs engaged and interested in long-term self-management. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to develop an adaptive mHealth system capable of supporting long-term self-management and adapting to the various needs and conditions of PwCCDs. METHODS A scalable and adaptive architecture was designed and implemented for the new version, iMHere 2.0. In this scalable architecture, a set of mobile app modules was created to provide various types of self-management support to PwCCDs with the ability to add more as needed. The adaptive architecture empowers PwCCDs with personally relevant app modules and allows clinicians to adapt these modules in response to PwCCDs’ evolving needs and conditions over time. Persuasive technologies, social support, and personalization features were integrated into iMHere 2.0 to engage and motivate PwCCDs and support long-term usage. Two initial studies were performed to evaluate the usability and feasibility of the iMHere 2.0 system. RESULTS The iMHere 2.0 system consists of cross-platform client and caregiver apps, a Web-based clinician portal, and a secure 2-way communication protocol for providing interactions among these 3 front-end components, all supported by a back-end server. The client and caregiver apps have 12 adaptive app modules to support various types of self-management tasks. The adaptive architecture makes it possible for PwCCDs to receive personalized app modules relevant to their conditions with or without support from various types of caregivers. The personalization and persuasive technologies in the architecture can be used to engage PwCCDs for long-term usage of the iMHere 2.0 system. Participants of the usability study were satisfied with the iMHere 2.0 client app. The feasibility evaluation revealed several practical issues to consider when implementing the system on a large scale. CONCLUSIONS We developed an adaptive mHealth system as a novel method to support diverse needs in self-management for PwCCDs that can dynamically change over time. The usability of the client app is high, and it was feasible for PwCCDs to use in supporting personalized and evolving self-care needs.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ju-Ling Hsiao ◽  
Rai-Fu Chen

BACKGROUND With the widespread use of mobile technologies, mobile information systems have become crucial tools in health care operations. Although the appropriate use of mobile health (mHealth) may result in major advances in expanding health care coverage (increasing decision-making speeds, managing chronic conditions, and providing suitable health care in emergencies), previous studies have argued that current mHealth research does not adequately evaluate mHealth interventions, and it does not provide sufficient evidence regarding the effects on health. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to facilitate the widespread use of mHealth systems; an accurate evaluation of the systems from the users’ perspective is essential after the implementation and use of the system in daily health care practices. This study extends the expectation-confirmation model by using characteristics of individuals, technology, and tasks to identify critical factors affecting mHealth continuance and performance from the perspective of health care professionals (HCPs). METHODS A questionnaire survey was used to collect data from HCPs who were experienced in using mHealth systems of a Taiwanese teaching hospital. In total, 282 questionnaires were distributed, and 201 complete and valid questionnaires were returned, thus indicating a valid response rate of 71.3% (201/282). The collected data were analyzed using WarpPLS version 5.0 (ScriptWarp Systems). RESULTS The results revealed that mHealth continuance (R2=0.522) was mainly affected by perceived usefulness, technology maturity, individual habits, task mobility, and user satisfaction, whereas individual performance (R2=0.492) was affected by mHealth continuance. In addition, user satisfaction (R2=0.548) was affected by confirmation and perceived usefulness of mHealth, whereas perceived usefulness (R2=0.521) was affected by confirmation. This implied that confirmation played a key role in affecting perceived usefulness and user satisfaction. Furthermore, the results showed that mHealth continuance positively affected individual performance. CONCLUSIONS The identified critical factors influencing mHealth continuance and performance can be used as a useful assessment tool by hospitals that have implemented mHealth systems to facilitate the use and infusion of the systems. Furthermore, the results can help health care institutions that intend to introduce or develop mHealth applications to identify critical issues and effectively allocate limited resources to mHealth systems.


2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 1227-1232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mileide Morais Pena ◽  
Edenise Maria Santos da Silva ◽  
Daisy Maria Rizatto Tronchin ◽  
Marta Maria Melleiro

This is an article about the theoretical model for assessing quality in health services proposed by Parasuraman, Zheitaml and Berry, in order to measure the degree of satisfaction of users. This model is based on the analysis of expectations and perceptions of users of health services, by means of five dimensions: tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy. From the difference between what is expected by the user and the service offered, gaps or shortcomings are derived that may be the main obstacle for users to perceive the provision of such services with quality. It was observed that the use of the psychometric scale called Service Quality (SERVQUAL) in some studies about satisfaction, obtained very favorable results in the institutions in which it was employed. The analysis revealed the need to improve the existing models of evaluation, as well as the importance of measuring user satisfaction in health institutions.


2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter W. Harvey ◽  
John Petkov ◽  
Inge Kowanko ◽  
Yvonne Helps ◽  
Malcolm Battersby

Objectives. This paper describes the longitudinal component of a larger mixed methods study into the processes and outcomes of chronic condition management and self-management strategies implemented in three Aboriginal communities in South Australia. The study was designed to document the connection between the application of structured systems of care for Aboriginal people and their longer-term health status. Methods. The study concentrated on three diverse Aboriginal communities in South Australia; the Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service, the Riverland community, and Nunkuwarrin Yunti Aboriginal Health Service in the Adelaide metropolitan area. Repeated-measure clinical data were collected for individual participants using a range of clinical indicators for diabetes (type 1 and 2) and related chronic conditions. Clinical data were analysed using random effects modelling techniques with changes in key clinical indicators being modelled at both the individual and group levels. Results. Where care planning has been in place longer than in other sites overall improvements were noted in BMI, cholesterol (high density and low density lipids) and HbA1c. These results indicate that for Aboriginal patients with complex chronic conditions, participation in and adherence to structured care planning and self-management strategies can contribute to improved overall health status and health outcomes. Conclusions. The outcomes reported here represent an initial and important step in quantifying the health benefits that can accrue for Aboriginal people living with complex chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and respiratory disease. The study highlights the benefits of developing long-term working relationships with Aboriginal communities as a basis for conducting effective collaborative health research programs. What is known about the topic? Chronic condition management and self-management programs have been available to Aboriginal people in a range of forms for some time. We know that some groups of patients are keen to engage with care planning and self-management protocols and we have anecdotal evidence of this engagement leading to improved quality of life and health outcomes for Aboriginal people. What does this paper add? This paper provides early evidence of sustained improvement over time for a cohort of Aboriginal people who are learning to deal with a range of chronic illnesses through accessing structured systems of support and care. What are the implications for practitioners? This longitudinal evidence of improved outcomes for Aboriginal people is encouraging and should lead on to more definitive studies of outcomes accruing for people engaged in structured systems of care. Not only does this finding have implications for the overall management of chronic illness in Aboriginal communities, but it points the way to how health services might best invest their resources and efforts to improve the health status of people with chronic conditions and, in the process, close the gap between the life expectancy of Aboriginal people and that of other community groups in Australia.


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