The importance of undertaking and publishing feasibility studies: the results from a randomized controlled pilot trial of The Pink Women's Wellness Program

A feasibility study of a best practice health literacy app for Australian adults with chronic kidney disease

Objective

To investigate feasibility of the SUCCESS app; a cross-platform e-health innovation to improve health literacy, self-management and shared decision-making among culturally-diverse Australian haemodialysis patients.

Methods

Multi-site, pre-post, mixed-methods study. Haemodialysis patients ≥18 years used the app for 12 weeks. Qualitative data from 18 interviews were thematically analysed to evaluate app acceptability. Quantitative analysis using paired sampled t-tests evaluated feasibility outcomes pertaining to recruitment, retention, data collection and app efficacy (including health literacy; decision self-efficacy; quality of life; behaviour; knowledge; confidence).

Results

We successfully recruited diverse participants (N = 116; 45% born overseas; 40% low/moderate health literacy) from four Local Health Districts in Sydney, Australia. However, only 61 participants completed follow-up questionnaires. Qualitative analyses provided insights into acceptability and user engagement. Quantitative analyses showed significant improvements on the health literacy domain 'Ability to actively engage with healthcare providers' (Mean Difference [MD] = 0.2 on a 5-point scale; CI_95%: 0.0-0.4; p = 0.03) and decision self-efficacy (MD = 4.3 on a 10-point scale; CI_95%: 0.6-7.9; p = 0.02) after 12 weeks app use.

Conclusions

The SUCCESS app was feasible and acceptable to participants. The app will be adapted to facilitate ongoing use and engagement among diverse haemodialysis patients.

Innovation

This is the first health literacy-informed app to promote active participation in haemodialysis self-management and decision-making, tailored toward culturally-diverse and low health literacy groups.