An Adaptive Mobile Health System to Support Self-Management for Persons With Chronic Conditions and Disabilities: Usability and Feasibility Studies

JMIR Formative Research, 2019 · DOI: 10.2196/12982 · Published: April 25, 2019

Simple Explanation

The iMHere 2.0 system consists of cross-platform client and caregiver apps, a Web-based clinician portal, and a secure 2-way communication protocol for providing interactions among these 3 front-end components, all supported by a back-end server. The adaptive architecture makes it possible for PwCCDs to receive personalized app modules relevant to their conditions with or without support from various types of caregivers. The personalization and persuasive technologies in the architecture can be used to engage PwCCDs for long-term usage of the iMHere 2.0 system.

Study Duration

3 Months

Participants

81 in usability study, 6 in feasibility study

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The usability of this mHealth app was high; in other words, these 81 participants believed that the mHealth app was easy to learn and comfortable to use, and they were satisfied with the features provided by this mHealth app.
2
The most accessed module during the study was Education (315 times), followed by messaging (116 times).
3
The feasibility evaluation revealed different usage and preferences of participants and several practical issues that we need to consider when implementing the system on a larger scale among PwCCDs.

Research Summary

To meet the long-term, highly diverse, and changing self-management support needs of PwCCDs, we developed the adaptive mHealth system (iMHere 2.0), which consists of cross-platform client and caregiver apps, a Web-based clinician portal, and a back-end server with a 2-way secure communication protocol. The architecture of the system is highly scalable, which means one can add new self-management services into this system independently if they are needed. Social support is also critically important for long-term engagement in self-management.

Practical Implications

Personalized Interventions

iMHere 2.0 allows clinicians to prescribe personalized treatment strategies for PwCCDs according to their specific conditions.

Remote Monitoring and Support

The system enables clinicians to remotely monitor PwCCDs' adherence to treatment and communicate via secure messaging.

Enhanced Social Support

Caregivers can conveniently monitor PwCCDs' performance and provide social support through the caregiver app.

Study Limitations

1
The effectiveness of this novel approach eventually needs to be determined on a large scale and in long-term randomized clinical trials with participants with various types of chronic conditions and disabilities.
2
In certain circumstances or for some PwCCDs, there is no clinician available to provide care to PwCCDs or to customize app modules.
3
Sometimes, there is no caregiver available, either.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Healthcare