JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Early users found ENVISION (ENgagement and Visualization to Improve Symptoms In ONcology care), a web-based application designed to improve home management of hospice patients’ symptoms and support patients’ and family caregivers’ wellbeing, to be generally useful and easy to use. However, they also raised concerns about potential challenges that users with limited technological proficiency might experience.

Objective:

Researchers sought to concurrently accomplish two interrelated study aims: (1) to develop a conceptual framework of digital inclusivity for health information systems, and (2) to apply the framework in evaluating the digital inclusivity of the ENVISION application.

Methods:

Researchers engaged ENVISION users (N = 34) in a multimethod qualitative study in which data were collected via direct observation, think-aloud techniques, and individual interviews. Data were analyzed via theoretical elaboration and basic qualitative description.

Results:

Accessibility, relevance, and impact were identified as three essential considerations in evaluating a health system’s digital inclusivity. With regard to ENVISION specifically, study findings generally supported the application’s digital inclusivity, particularly concerning its perceived relevance to the work of family caregivers and hospice clinicians. Limitations to ENVISION’s digital inclusivity centered around issues of accessibility, particularly operability among individuals with limited technological knowledge and skills.

Conclusions:

The Accessibility, Relevance, and Impact Conceptual Framework of Digital Inclusivity for Health Information Systems can be useful in identifying opportunities to strengthen the digital inclusivity of tools, such as ENVISION, that are intended for use by a broad and diverse range of users.