Features and usability assessment of a patient-centered mobile application (HeartMapp) for self-management of heart failure

Abstract

Background: Mobile health technologies have emerged as a way to actively engage patients in their healthcare decision-making process. One who is well informed and motivated is thought to engage in self-management activities. Thus, the conceptual framework included "information, motivation, and behavioral change" model, with patient engagement as a mediator in the development and assessment of a mobile health application "HeartMapp" for chronic heart failure (CHF) self-management.

Purpose: To describe the development and features of the HeartMapp and preliminary assessment of the usability of HeartMapp.

Method: A descriptive survey design was employed. A total of 37 participants (25 patients with CHF and 12 health care workers) navigated the HeartMapp and completed self-confidence and usability questionnaires.

Results: More than half of the patients used mobile phones to obtain health information. Patients reported moderate self-confidence (mean 26.60±12.18) in using HeartMapp. One in five patients reported a lack of confidence in using the chest-worn Bluetooth device. The observational data indicated that all patients completed the task of navigating the HeartMapp with little or no help. The health care members (n=12) demonstrated high confidence in recommending HeartMapp to patients (mean 4.58±0.67) and in utilizing data from HeartMapp for clinical decision making (mean 4.50±0.67). The self-confidence and usability questionnaires showed good reliability in this sample.

Conclusion: Having access to CHF symptom monitoring and education readily available in a mobile app may motivate individuals to engage in the prescribed self-management skills to ultimately attain desired outcomes, which warrants further exploration.

Keywords: Heart failure; HeartMapp usability; IMB model; Mobile application; Patient engagement; Self-management.