JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Circumcision as a common elective pediatric surgery worldwide, is a stressful and anxiety-inducing experience for parents and children. Although current perioperative interventions proved effective such as reducing pre-operative anxiety, there are limited holistic solutions using mobile apps.

Objective:

This paper aims to describe the development and primary evaluation of an intelligent customer-driven smartphone-based application program (ICory-Circumcision) to enhance health outcomes among children undergoing circumcision and their family caregivers.

Methods:

Based on the review of the literature and previous studies, Brauard’s self-efficacy theory was adopted as the conceptual framework. A multidisciplinary team was built to identify the content and develop the applicants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to evaluate the ICory-Circumcision.

Results:

The ICory-Circumcision program was carried out from March 2019 to October 2019 and comprised two mobile apps, BuddyCare Applicant and Triumf Health Mobile Game Applicant. The former provides a day-by-day perioperative guide for parents whose children undergoing circumcision, while the latter provides emotional support and distraction to children. Six participants were recruited to use the applicants and interviewed to evaluate the program. Four main categories and ten subcategories were generated from content analysis.

Conclusions:

ICory-Circumcision seemed to lean towards being useful. Feasibility of the study and intervention is possible and can be adopted in clinical practice after quantitative trial. Clinical Trial: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04174404