User Centered Design Process for a Smartphone App for Young Adults with Hereditary Blood Disorders
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Abstract
Background
Mobile online health interventions have proven to be effective in supporting patients under. Smartphone applications (Apps) as mobile healthcare tools can be used effectively for different patient groups and types of diseases. There is first proof of concept that this software could be able to address the needs of patients with an inborn disease. There is sparse documentation available that demonstrates the development process for these kinds of health-related apps for special patient groups.
Objective
The study aimed to develop a concept of combining qualitative research methods with a user-centered design approach for the development of a smartphone application. This application should address the needs of young adults with two types of genetic disorders of hemoglobin (thalassemia, sickle cell disease).
Methods
We chose patients from 2 different German hospitals sites. Patients took part in a focus group interview. It was conducted with 8 (6 female, 2 male, mean age 14,4). Questions concerned their online information health seeking behavior, crisis management, information about their disease, contact with other patients. Thematic analysis method was chosen to transcript the recordings. Items were validated and three main categories were deducted. Based on these results a questionnaire was constructed including questions about a first graphical design of the app.16 patients took part in the administration of the questionnaire. Finally their results were compared to thematic propositions made by hematologists. Results
Results show a difference between the assumed needs for an app between the patients’ physicians and the patients. Patients rated “crisis management†and “special information about the diseases†as most valuable whereas their physicians put “community functions†in the first place (8th patients). The graphical version induced “memory-reminder function†at third place (patients). It was decided to organize the following development steps in recurring loops based on this process
Conclusions
This study provides insights into the importance of user centered design for mobile health-related apps for patients. The differing needs assessment between medical personal and patients underline the importance of the patients’ role in the development process of the software.
Mobile online health interventions have proven to be effective in supporting patients under. Smartphone applications (Apps) as mobile healthcare tools can be used effectively for different patient groups and types of diseases. There is first proof of concept that this software could be able to address the needs of patients with an inborn disease. There is sparse documentation available that demonstrates the development process for these kinds of health-related apps for special patient groups.
Objective
The study aimed to develop a concept of combining qualitative research methods with a user-centered design approach for the development of a smartphone application. This application should address the needs of young adults with two types of genetic disorders of hemoglobin (thalassemia, sickle cell disease).
Methods
We chose patients from 2 different German hospitals sites. Patients took part in a focus group interview. It was conducted with 8 (6 female, 2 male, mean age 14,4). Questions concerned their online information health seeking behavior, crisis management, information about their disease, contact with other patients. Thematic analysis method was chosen to transcript the recordings. Items were validated and three main categories were deducted. Based on these results a questionnaire was constructed including questions about a first graphical design of the app.16 patients took part in the administration of the questionnaire. Finally their results were compared to thematic propositions made by hematologists. Results
Results show a difference between the assumed needs for an app between the patients’ physicians and the patients. Patients rated “crisis management†and “special information about the diseases†as most valuable whereas their physicians put “community functions†in the first place (8th patients). The graphical version induced “memory-reminder function†at third place (patients). It was decided to organize the following development steps in recurring loops based on this process
Conclusions
This study provides insights into the importance of user centered design for mobile health-related apps for patients. The differing needs assessment between medical personal and patients underline the importance of the patients’ role in the development process of the software.
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