Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Apr 4, 2023
Open Peer Review Period: Apr 4, 2023 - May 30, 2023
Date Accepted: Aug 22, 2023
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Design, development, and evaluation of a mHealth app for reporting of side effects during cytostatic treatment: A usability test and interview study.
ABSTRACT
Background:
Using mHealth interventions such as mobile applications to deliver health services offers a treatment option where cancer patients may become more engaged in their treatment. Usability tests allow for the evaluation of an intervention by testing it out on the relevant users before the clinical implementation.
Objective:
The objective of this study was to design, develop and evaluate the user interface of an app that would aid patients in reporting a more comprehensive summary of their side effects.
Methods:
The usability tests were conducted individually using a prototype of an mHealth app that allowed reporting of side effects from a chemotherapy regimen. After solving a set of 13 tasks by using the prototype, the participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were later transcribed and analyzed.
Results:
Some patients reported having trouble with using apps on smartphones in general. During the test, these never achieved a meaningful interaction with our app prototype. Most of those who engaged with the app approved of features that calmed them down, made them more empowered, and put them in control. They preferred to report on side effects in a detailed and concise manner. App features that provided specific advice to the patient provoked both fear and rational action.
Conclusions:
Cancer patients are a heterogeneous group of individuals. Consequently, it is crucial that one design a service that allows for all of the patients to receive safe treatment whether they can use an mHealth application or not. Using an app to make cancer patients report and react to their side effects can also provoke anxiety and make the patients feel less safe.
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