Currently submitted to: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Apr 24, 2026
Open Peer Review Period: Apr 25, 2026 - Jun 20, 2026
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Usability Evaluation of CareCheck, a Digital Screening Tool to Identify Family Caregivers at Risk for Poor Outcomes
ABSTRACT
Background:
Providing care to a family member or friend with a serious illness like cancer increases risk for poor physical, psychological, and functional health outcomes. Despite their critical role, family caregivers (FCGs) are rarely screened in clinical settings for the wide range of factors that may put them and the person they care for at risk for poor outcomes. Mobile health (mHealth) applications can efficiently facilitate access to high-quality health information for FCGs; however, few are clinically integrated.
Objective:
This study aimed to evaluate the usability of CareCheck, an mHealth-based digital risk screening tool designed to enable family caregivers' self-awareness of potential caregiving-related risks for adverse health and psychosocial outcomes and to support health care professionals in personalizing interventions that address FCGs' specific risk factors.
Methods:
We conducted a usability testing study of CareCheck using two evaluation methods: quantitative measurement with a modified 5-item Mobile Health App Usability Questionnaire (MAUQ) and exploratory qualitative thematic analysis based on feedback from FCGs and trained staff. FCGs of individuals with gynecologic cancer were recruited through the inpatient unit and the outpatient gynecologic oncology clinic of a Comprehensive Cancer Center. Participants completed CareCheck and the usability questionnaire via the mHealth app installed on tablets. Staff observed the assessment process and provided feedback.
Results:
A total of 56 CGs and 2 trained staff participated in the usability study. The mean MAUQ score was 6.49 (SD = 1.06) out of 7, indicating high usability. Qualitative analysis identified recommendations in three categories: 1) Improvements to CareCheck ; 2) Perceptions of CareCheck’s Usability and Functionality, and 3) Clinical Implementation Considerations for CareCheck.
Conclusions:
FCGs and staff found CareCheck to be user-friendly and easy to navigate. While further iterations are needed to refine content and optimize integration with clinical workflows, CareCheck demonstrated potential as a clinically integrated tool for identifying and addressing FCG risk for poor social, psychological, or health outcomes in gynecologic oncology care settings.
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