JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

First Nations children and youth may have unique ways to convey their health needs that have not been recognized by health providers. This may contribute to the disparity between high rates of mental health and physical pain and the low rates of treatment for the conditions they experience. Evidence suggests a colonial history has resulted in poor experiences with the healthcare system, lack of trust with health providers and miscommunication between clinicians and patients. Contemporary ways using both Indigenous and Western knowledge is needed to bridge the gap in communicating pain.

Objective:

The aim of this qualitative study was to test the usability of the Kids Hurt App with First Nations youth and clinicians working with youth.

Methods:

Using a Two-eyed seeing approach, a kids hurt icon based app was developed using concepts from validated mood and pain assessment apps combined with community-based research that gathered First Nations youth perspectives on quality, intensity and location of pain and hurt. The kids hurt app contains 12 screens accessible on a handheld mobile phone or tablet device.

Results:

Three rounds of low fidelity testing and two rounds of high-fidelity testing were conducted with 19 First Nations youth to determine the usability of the Kids Hurt app. High-fidelity testing was also conducted with 15 clinicians after completing the youth sessions. Youth had constructive suggestions that were used to improve the app in subsequent rounds of version testing. There was one main discrepancy between youth and clinicians related to in visual preference for way to convey pain. Youth’s preference was maintained in the app.

Conclusions:

All youth in all rounds of testing indicated they would use the Kids Hurt app if it was available to them in a health care setting with most clinicians noting the app would be useful in practice. Clinical Trial: N/A