JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

High smoking rates among end-users, combined with their high rates of app use, render this age group as a particularly captive audience for quit smoking apps. There is emerging evidence that apps are an effective way to support smoking cessation among end-users. How the expectations behind the design of apps align with the needs and preferences of users, and if this differs by gender, is poorly understood, limiting the ability to evaluate and scale these interventions.

Objective:

The objective of this qualitative case study was to detail how the overall design approach of Crush the Crave (CTC), a quit smoking app that targets end-users, compares with young adult women’s and men’s perspectives and experiences, with consideration for the influence of gender.

Methods:

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 developers involved in the development of CTC, and 31 young adult CTC users. Data were analyzed inductively to derive thematic findings in relation to the perceived pros and cons of CTC by both developers and end-users. Findings were grouped under four categories 1) technology and platforms utilized for the app, 2) foundation of app content, 3) underlying focus of the app, and 4) look, feel and functionality of the app.

Results:

1) Technology and platforms utilized for the app: both developers and end-users agreed that apps aligned with the needs and preferences of young adult smokers. Major limitations with the technology identified by end-users were the frequent “glitches” and requirement for WiFi or data. 2) Foundation of app content: while developers agreed that the strength of CTC was in its strong evidence-base, what mattered to end-users was that the content was packaged in a positive way, focusing on the benefits of quitting versus the consequences of smoking. 3) Underlying focus of the app: that the app entailed an individually-led focus resonated with both developers and end-users, especially young men. 4) Look, feel and functionality of the app: while developers were more positive about the look and feel of the app, end-users did not like the aesthetics of the app because it incited a negative affect. Also, while end-users found it easy to use, they did not find the app intuitive. Finally, end-users thought that, because the app functions were largely based on a user’s quit date versus their ongoing efforts, this often lent to unmeaningful data.

Conclusions:

The current study findings highlight the importance of understanding multiple perspectives of stakeholders involved in a mobile-based intervention. By gathering the viewpoints of developers and end users, both problematic and effective approaches that underlie development goals were revealed as a means to informing end-users the development, implementation and evaluation of future eHealth interventions.