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Co-development of a web application to support caregivers in the use of learning-optimization methods
ABSTRACT
Background:
People living with major neurocognitive disorder (MNCD) may experience difficulties in carrying out meaningful activities. Learning-optimizing methods, building on the abilities preserved despite MNCD, can be beneficial in maintaining activity achievement for these individuals. Although these methods can be understood by caregivers, and they want to use them, adapting them to everyday situations is a challenge. Several web or mobile applications with various functions have shown benefits for people living with MNCD and their caregivers. However, none of these tools is designed to enable the appropriation of learning-optimizing methods and their use in everyday situations.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to co-develop a web application called Aide-Mémoire-Interactif (AMI), designed to support family caregivers in operationalizing methods that optimize learning according to the specific situations encountered on a daily basis and the cognitive difficulties of the person living with an MNCD.
Methods:
To design the AMI web application, the research team, in partnership with a community organization, caregivers and healthcare professionals, carried out participatory action research including: 1) assessment of caregivers' needs concerning situations frequently encountered by people living with an MNCD; 2) development of a logic algorithm based on these situations and cognitive difficulties, leading to the first version of the AMI application prototype; and 3) experimentation by caregivers for validation, leading to the final version of the AMI application.
Results:
The AMI application was designed to be easy to navigate. Based on Agile-Scrum methodology, it is user-centered to offer dynamic interaction with generated content, and customizable, since it is organized around modular and adaptable software components. Validation meetings with caregivers and healthcare professionals enabled us to improve several elements of the application (e.g., adjusting the wording of daily situations to facilitate comprehension). The final version of the AMI application features three main functions: 1) navigation to operationalize the methods optimizing learning for a specific situation, 2) viewing of video capsules describing the methods or 3) consultation of saved results from previous navigations.
Conclusions:
The involvement of caregivers and healthcare professionals in the development of the AMI application has resulted in an application that stands out for its customization to each person's context, its user-friendliness and its flexible web architecture. The AMI application has the potential to be a practical and effective tool to support the daily use of learning-optimization methods.
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