JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The school-age years, approximately ages seven through eleven, represent a natural transition when children begin assuming some responsibility for their asthma management. Previously, we designed a theoretically-derived, tailored parent-child shared asthma management mHealth application (app), Improving Asthma Care Together (IMPACT).

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to use human centered design (HCD) to refine IMPACT to ensure that a developmentally appropriate, engaging app emerged.

Methods:

This study used a mixed methods design from December 2019 through April 2021. Our app refinement used the HCD process of research, ideation, design, evaluation, and implementation, including six cycles of design and evaluation. The design and evaluation cycles focused on core app functionality, child engagement, and overall refinement. Evaluation with parent-child dyads entailed in-person and remote concept testing and usability testing sessions, after which rapid cycle thematic analyses identified key insights that informed future design refinement.

Results:

Twelve parent-child dyads enrolled in at least one round of this study. Eight of the 12 child participants were male with a mean age of 9.9 + 1.6 years and all parent participants were female. Throughout evaluation cycles, dyads selected preferred app layouts, gamification concepts, and overall features with a final design prototype emerging for full-scale development and implementation.

Conclusions:

A theoretically-derived, evidence-based shared asthma management app was co-designed with end users to address real-world pain points and priorities. An eight-week pilot testing app feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy is forthcoming.