Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Feb 10, 2025
Date Accepted: Jun 23, 2025
Development of a Web-based Intervention to Support Primary Healthcare Professionals in Digital Health Measurement: A User-centered Participatory Approach
ABSTRACT
Background:
eHealth measurement offers opportunities to address several primary healthcare challenges, but healthcare professionals encounter significant implementation barriers. Therefore, resources need to be developed to facilitate integration of eHealth measurement tools into daily practice.
Objective:
This study aimed to identify the most appropriate format and content for an intervention to support primary healthcare professionals in adopting eHealth measurement tools. Furthermore, we describe and reflect on the development process.
Methods:
Using a participatory action research approach and user-centered design principles, 19 primary healthcare professionals from four disciplines - physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and general practitioner practice assistancy - participated in intervention development as end-users. External experts were consulted to broaden perspectives. Data were collected within three iterative stages (concept, design, testing and trials) between January 2022 and December 2023, during co-creative meetings, individual interviews, focus group discussions, usability testing and prototype use in daily practice. Content analysis and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.
Results:
A web-based, stepwise intervention combining theoretical information, practical aids, examples, and experiences, proved most suitable. Key features were concise content, intuitive graphic design, and flexible navigation and functionalities. Iterative improvements led to an increase in usability ratings, from “OK” to “good to excellent”.
Conclusions:
Different healthcare disciplines benefit from similar support strategies, yet this requires careful balancing of intervention design and content. Combining participatory action research and user-centered design principles was useful to tailor the intervention to end-users’ daily routines. The described development process offers a replicable framework for creating support strategies for eHealth measurement in various healthcare settings.
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Copyright
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