JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Last decade has shown a considerable increase in the amount of mobile health applications (mHealth apps) in everyday life. These mHealth apps have the potential to significantly improve well-being for chronically ill patients. However, behavioral engagement with mHealth apps remains low.

Objective:

The aim of this study is to provide insight into the behavioral engagement of adults with chronic conditions with mHealth apps by investigating (1) how it is affected by human-related factors (here, physician motivation) and app-related factors (here, app integration) and (2) how it affects their well-being. Supplementary, this study considers the moderating effect of preference for traditional visits to the physician (habit) and experience in app use (app experience) by the patients.

Methods:

A scenario based experiment among patients with a chronic condition (n= 521) was carried out. A Bayesian SEM model with mediation and moderation analysis was conducted in MPlus.

Results:

Both physician motivation for mHealth app use and mHealth app integration have a positive effect on the behavioral engagement of chronically ill patients towards mHealth apps. Higher behavioral engagement positively influences the hedonic and eudaimonic well-being of chronically ill patients. App experience positively moderates the relationship between app integration and behavioral engagement. A patients’ habit with receiving traditional care does not moderate the relationship between physician motivation and behavioral engagement.

Conclusions:

The human and design factor play a key role in behavioral engagement and well-being among patients with a chronic condition. During and after the development of a mHealth app, app integration and physician motivation should be a point of attention.