JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) face the prospect of long-term recombinant human growth hormone (r-hGH) treatment, requiring daily injections, and adherence to their treatment is important, especially at treatment initiation, to achieve positive health outcomes. Historically, telenursing services embedded in Patient Support Programmes (PSPs) have been a valid approach to support r-hGH treatment initiation and patient education to facilitate adherence by identifying and optimising appropriate injection techniques. The development of mobile phones with augmented reality (AR) capabilities offers nurses new tools to support patient education. This study investigates the nursing experience associated with a new mobile phone app developed to support patient training within a phone-based PSP for r-hGH treatment.

Objective:

N/A

Methods:

In 2020, the easypod® AR mobile app was launched to support nurse-driven telehealth education for patients initiating r-hGH therapy with the easypod® electromechanical auto-injector device. Nurses who were either part of PSPs in countries where the easypod® AR app had been launched or where training was provided as part of an anticipated future launch of the app were invited to participate in an online survey based on the Mobile App Rating Scale to capture their feedback after using the app.

Results:

In total, 23 nurses completed the online questionnaire. They positively rated the quality of the app across multiple dimensions. The highest mean scores were 4.0 for engagement (adaptation to the target group; standard deviation [SD], 0.74), 4.1 (SD, 0.79) for functionality (navigation) and 4.1 (SD, 0.67) for aesthetics (graphics). Responses indicated the potential positive impact for such a tool to enhance patient education, support and communication between patients and PSP nurses. Some participants also suggested enhancements to the app, including gamification techniques that they felt have the potential to support the formation of positive treatment behaviours and habits.

Conclusions:

This study highlights the potential for new digital health solutions to reinforce PSP nurse services, including patient education. Future studies could explore possible correlations between any behavioural and clinical benefits that patients may derive from the use of such apps and how they may contribute to support improved patient experiences and treatment outcomes.