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Zhang R, Sun J, Zheng X, Liu M, Wang H, Wang X, Guan J. Prostate cancer patients' experiences and preferences for web-based physical activity applications: A qualitative meta-synthesis. J Clin Nurs 2023; 32:6998-7009. [PMID: 37401765 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.16819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of prostate cancer increases with age. Physical activity can improve the prognosis and quality of life of patients. However, studies have observed lower levels of physical activity in men with prostate cancer, and most do not meet physical activity guidelines. Web-based physical activity is a promising form of exercise that will play an important role in prostate cancer patients. AIMS To synthesise the experiences and preferences of prostate cancer patients for web-based PA applications, thereby providing a basis for the construction of intervention programs tailored to the needs of patients. METHODS We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL and three Chinese databases. This review includes qualitative empirical reports from the date of establishment of the respective databases until April 2023. Data extraction was performed by two independent reviewers and study quality was assessed. RESULTS A total of nine studies were included. The experiences and preferences of prostate cancer patients with web-based physical activity apps were synthesised into the following three analysis themes: (1) Pursuing individualised management strategies; (2) Perceiving and seeking social support and (3) Moving forwards in the struggle. CONCLUSION Our study found that men with prostate cancer experienced greater challenges in engaging in physical activity. Because of individual differences between patients, health care providers need to provide care that is tailored to each patient. Future studies should further explore the specific effects of web-based PA applications in promoting the physical function of prostate cancer patients to increase their flexibility. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE This article synthesises prostate cancer patients' experiences with web-based physical activity applications, highlighting their specific information needs. The results suggest several implications for the application of individualised management strategies, the perception and search for social support, and health- literacy. The results of this study will inform future research and program design that recognises the importance of patient-centred efforts to better self-manage physical function. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION In the early stages of the study, objectives and subsequent findings were presented and discussed in a meeting with a reference group that represented patients, health professionals and the public.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhang
- The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jiao Sun
- School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xiaowen Zheng
- The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Min Liu
- The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Haifeng Wang
- The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xiaoxue Wang
- The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jingjing Guan
- The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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Ogunsanya ME, Sifat M, Bamidele OO, Ezenwankwo EF, Clifton S, Ton C, Knight JM, Odedina FT, Greer JA, Dwyer K, Kendzor DE. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions in prostate cancer survivorship: a scoping review. J Cancer Surviv 2023; 17:557-568. [PMID: 36627464 DOI: 10.1007/s11764-022-01328-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This scoping review explores the application of mHealth technology in prostate cancer (CaP) management along the survivorship continuum. METHODS The scoping review was conducted using the five-step framework developed by Arksey and O'Malley. Using predefined criteria, we screened citations from Embase, EBSCOHost, Cochrane Library, PubMed, ProQuest, SCOPUS, and Web of Science for primary studies published before December 2021. We selected studies that explored the application of mHealth technology in CaP management and survivorship. Evidence from 14 eligible studies was summarized using narrative synthesis. RESULTS Fourteen studies published between 2015 and 2021 were included. Ten mHealth apps were identified with only one still in use. Most apps were explored for their supportive care roles during radiotherapy (n = 9) and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) (n = 1) treatment, mainly to assess outcomes (n = 1) and manage patient-reported symptoms (n = 5). One study deployed mHealth to facilitate recovery after surgery. Very few studies (n = 3) applied mHealth for lifestyle management (i.e., physical activity). Barriers to app usage included connectivity issues, end-user familiarity with the app, login hurdles, and time constraints. Facilitators of app usage included apps being downloaded for participants, devices provided for participants, and the ability to connect with providers through the platform. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS The improving survival rates from CaP suggest that men are now living longer with unfavorable treatment side effects such as reduced sexual functioning, pain, and fatigue. Hence, mHealth represents new hope in men's illness trajectory. However, current application in patients' care pathways remains poor, particularly in the active phase of CaP management. Efforts must be accelerated to explore individual and healthcare-level drivers of mHealth use. The feasibility and descriptive nature of current studies point to a lack of attention to actual implementation and scale-up issues in research considering mHealth application in CaP, hence accounting partly for the gap in research/practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motolani E Ogunsanya
- College of Pharmacy, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
| | - Munjireen Sifat
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Olufikayo O Bamidele
- Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU6 7RX, UK
| | | | - Shari Clifton
- Health Sciences Library & Information Management, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Chelsea Ton
- College of Pharmacy, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Jennifer M Knight
- Departments of Psychiatry, Medicine, and Microbiology & Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Folakemi T Odedina
- Center for Health Equity & Community Engagement Research, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Joseph A Greer
- Center for Psychiatric Oncology & Behavioral Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kathleen Dwyer
- College of Nursing, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Darla E Kendzor
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
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Naranjo-Rojas A, Perula-de Torres LÁ, Cruz-Mosquera FE, Molina-Recio G. Usability of a mobile application for the clinical follow-up of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and home oxygen therapy. Int J Med Inform 2023; 175:105089. [PMID: 37172506 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2023.105089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Technological health tools (e-Health) may potentially facilitate the treatment of patients with chronic diseases through development of self-management and -care skills in patients and caregivers. However, these tools are usually marketed without prior analysis and without providing any context to final users, which frequently results in low adherence to their use. PURPOSE To determine the usability of and satisfaction toward a mobile app for the clinical monitoring of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) receiving oxygen therapy at home. METHODS This was a participative-qualitative study focused on final users-with direct intervention by patients and professionals-consisting of three phases as follows: (i) medium-fidelity mockups design, (ii) development of a usability test for each user profile, and (iii) assessment of the satisfaction level regarding the usability of the mobile app. A sample was established and selected through non-probability convenience sampling and was divided into two groups as follows: healthcare professionals (n = 13) and patients (n = 7). Each participant received a smartphone with mockup designs. The "think-aloud" method was applied in the usability test. Participants were audio recorded and the anonymous transcriptions were analyzed, highlighting fragments about mockups characteristics and the usability test. The difficulty level of the tasks was assessed with a scale from 1 (very easy) to 5 (too difficult), and task non-completion was considered a critical mistake. The satisfaction level related to test usability was assessed with a 4-score Likert scale ranging from 4 (totally agree) to 1 (totally disagree). RESULTS Regarding the difficulty level, >60% of professionals described most tasks as "very easy" and 70% of patients as "easy." No participant made critical mistakes and both groups reported a high satisfaction level regarding the usability variables. The patient and professionals group required 18 and 11 min to complete all tasks, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Participants described the app as intuitive and easy to use. The usability satisfaction results show a high level of satisfaction for both groups. This positive assessment and performance in user tests showed that the mobile application was able to be apprehended and used by participants in the circumstances of use in the usability tests. Usability evaluation through satisfaction surveys and qualitative data analysis allows for greater insight into the use of mobile applications in healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anisbed Naranjo-Rojas
- Universidad Santiago de Cali. Cali, Colombia, Faculty of Health, Health and Education Research Group (GINEYSA). Biomedicine doctoral program, University of cordoba, Spain.
| | - Luis Ángel Perula-de Torres
- Multiprofessional Teaching Unit for Family and Community Healthcare in the Districts of Cordoba and Guadalquivir. Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Córdoba. (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, University of Córdoba, Spain
| | | | - Guillermo Molina-Recio
- Nursing, Pharmacology and Physiotherapy Department. University of Cordoba. Lifestyles, Innovation and Health (GA-16). Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba (IMIBIC), Spain
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Yeo SM, Oh JH, Yu HJ, Sinn DH, Hwang JH. The effect of mHealth-based exercise on Insulin Sensitivity for patients with Hepatocellular carcinoma and insulin resistance (mISH): protocol of a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2022; 23:930. [DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06858-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The importance of insulin resistance is gaining increasing attention as it plays an important role in carcinogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although exercise is the most important intervention for lowering insulin resistance, it is not easy for HCC patients to maintain high compliance and do appropriate exercise. Mobile health (mHealth) with wearable devices can be the solution to carry out an adjusted and supervised exercise that can normalize insulin resistance in patients with HCC. We developed an HCC-specific application equipped with patient-centered exercise. In this paper, we present a randomized controlled trial protocol comparing an intervention group with a control group to determine whether mHealth-based exercise is effective in normalizing insulin sensitivity in HCC patients with insulin resistance after anticancer treatment.
Methods
An assessor unblinded open label randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted for 80 participants with treatment-naïve or recurrent HCC who have received treatment and achieved complete response at the time of screening. They will be randomly assigned (1:1) to one of two groups: an intervention group (n = 40) and a control group (n = 40). The intervention group will carry out mHealth-based exercise for 6 months from baseline, whereas the control group will receive the usual follow-up care for the first 3 months and mHealth-based exercise for the next 3 months. Both groups will be assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months from baseline. The primary outcome is the normalized rate of insulin resistance in each group at 3 months. Insulin resistance is estimated by calculating homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The secondary outcomes are body composition, physical fitness level, physical activity, and quality of life at 3 months.
Discussion
This study is the first RCT to investigate the effect of mHealth-based home exercise with a wrist-wearable device on insulin sensitivity, physical fitness, and quality of life for HCC patients with insulin resistance. The result of this RCT will confirm not only safety and functional improvement but also biological effect when exercising using mHealth in HCC patients.
Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04649671. Registered on 2 December 2020. The World Health Organization Trial Registration Data Set is not registered.
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Corbel A, Leroy V, Vesval Q, Rébillard A, Mathieu R. [Connected APA tools and prostate cancer: Literature review and experience feedback]. Prog Urol 2022; 32:880-887. [PMID: 36280376 DOI: 10.1016/j.purol.2022.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Adapted physical activity (APA) appears to be essential for supportive care in oncology. It helps to reduce different side effects inherent to treatment and disease (e.g., fatigue, sarcopenia, balance problems) and could have an impact on patients' survival. However, it is not systematically implemented in daily practice and still too few patients reach the recommendations of physical activity. New tools, such as digital and connected ones, are now developed to overcome barriers to the implementation and daily practice of physical activity (e.g., distance between home and hospital). The aim of this article was to provide an overview of different connected tools that offer exercise training and monitoring programmes in prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Corbel
- Laboratoire « Mouvement, Sport, Santé » (EA 7470), université Rennes, campus de Ker Lann, Bruz, France.
| | - V Leroy
- Service d'urologie, centre hospitalier universitaire de Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Q Vesval
- Service d'urologie, centre hospitalier universitaire de Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - A Rébillard
- Laboratoire « Mouvement, Sport, Santé » (EA 7470), université Rennes, campus de Ker Lann, Bruz, France
| | - R Mathieu
- Service d'urologie, centre hospitalier universitaire de Rennes, Rennes, France
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Wang SW, Chiou CC, Su CH, Wu CC, Tsai SC, Lin TK, Hsu CN. Measuring Mobile Phone Application Usability for Anticoagulation from the Perspective of Patients, Caregivers, and Healthcare Professionals. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:10136. [PMID: 36011765 PMCID: PMC9407822 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191610136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Oral anticoagulants (OAC) are recommended for preventing stroke and systemic embolism in atrial fibrillation. Proper use is imperative for maximizing anticoagulation therapy's effectiveness and safety. In preparation for the implementation of a smartphone-based SmartMed app (application) aiming to promote patient self-management, medication adherence, and data collection for patients on anticoagulation therapy, its usability assessment can ensure the value of OAC app development and adoption. We evaluated the SmartMed app's usability using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and the app-specific domain of the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) for its perceived impact on taking OAC regularly. We recruited 25 OAC users and their home caregivers and 59 healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, nurses, and cardiac surgeons from one medical center and one regional hospital in Taiwan. All participants (n = 84) thought the SmartMed app was useful, with mean SUS and MARS scores of 81.49 (±14.42) and 4.65 (±0.49), respectively. Usability evaluation revealed that fewer experiences with smartphone apps and different healthcare professionals (pharmacists versus nurses or cardiac surgeons) were associated with lower SUS scores and perceived impact. Throughout the evaluation process, the SmartMed app's design was considered helpful from multiple stakeholders' perspectives. Further ongoing mobile technology supports are necessary to establish the SmartMed app's effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Wei Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
- School of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Chi Chiou
- Department of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hao Su
- Department of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Chih Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
- School of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Chen Tsai
- Department of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
| | - Tsu-Kung Lin
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
- Center for Mitochondrial Research and Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Ning Hsu
- Department of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
- School of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
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Jacob C, Sezgin E, Sanchez-Vazquez A, Ivory C. Sociotechnical Factors Affecting Patients' Adoption of Mobile Health Tools: Systematic Literature Review and Narrative Synthesis. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2022; 10:e36284. [PMID: 35318189 PMCID: PMC9121221 DOI: 10.2196/36284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mobile health (mHealth) tools have emerged as a promising health care technology that may contribute to cost savings, better access to care, and enhanced clinical outcomes; however, it is important to ensure their acceptance and adoption to harness this potential. Patient adoption has been recognized as a key challenge that requires further exploration. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review was to systematically investigate the literature to understand the factors affecting patients' adoption of mHealth tools by considering sociotechnical factors (from technical, social, and health perspectives). METHODS A structured search was completed following the participants, intervention, comparators, and outcomes framework. We searched the MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and SAGE databases for studies published between January 2011 and July 2021 in the English language, yielding 5873 results, of which 147 studies met the inclusion criteria. The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook were followed to ensure a systematic process. Extracted data were analyzed using NVivo (QSR International), with thematic analysis and narrative synthesis of emergent themes. RESULTS The technical factors affecting patients' adoption of mHealth tools were categorized into six key themes, which in turn were divided into 20 subthemes: usefulness, ease of use, data-related, monetary factors, technical issues, and user experience. Health-related factors were categorized into six key themes: the disease or health condition, the care team's role, health consciousness and literacy, health behavior, relation to other therapies, integration into patient journey, and the patients' insurance status. Social and personal factors were divided into three key clusters: demographic factors, personal characteristics, and social and cultural aspects; these were divided into 19 subthemes, highlighting the importance of considering these factors when addressing potential barriers to mHealth adoption and how to overcome them. CONCLUSIONS This review builds on the growing body of research that investigates patients' adoption of mHealth services and highlights the complexity of the factors affecting adoption, including personal, social, technical, organizational, and health care aspects. We recommend a more patient-centered approach by ensuring the tools' fit into the overall patient journey and treatment plan, emphasizing inclusive design, and warranting comprehensive patient education and support. Moreover, empowering and mobilizing clinicians and care teams, addressing ethical data management issues, and focusing on health care policies may facilitate adoption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Jacob
- University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland, Olten, Switzerland
| | - Emre Sezgin
- The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
- NORC at the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Antonio Sanchez-Vazquez
- Innovative Management Practice Research Centre, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Ivory
- Innovative Management Practice Research Centre, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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9
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Briggs LG, Labban M, Alkhatib K, Nguyen DD, Cole AP, Trinh QD. Digital technologies in cancer care: a review from the clinician's perspective. J Comp Eff Res 2022; 11:533-544. [PMID: 35416050 DOI: 10.2217/cer-2021-0263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Physicians are increasingly utilizing digital health technologies (DHT) such as smartphone applications, network-enabled wearable devices, web-based communication platforms, videoconferencing, chatbots, artificial intelligence and virtual reality to improve access to, and quality of, care. DHT aid in cancer screening, patient education, shared decision-making, promotion of positive health habits, symptom monitoring and intervention, patient-provider communication, provision of psychological support and delivery of effective survivorship care. This narrative review outlines how physicians may utilize digital health to improve or augment their delivery of cancer care. For the full potential of DHT to be realized, experts must develop appropriate solutions to issues surrounding the regulation, liability, quality, security, equity and reimbursement of DHT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan G Briggs
- Center for Surgery & Public Health, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Muhieddine Labban
- Center for Surgery & Public Health, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Khalid Alkhatib
- Center for Surgery & Public Health, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - David-Dan Nguyen
- Center for Surgery & Public Health, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alexander P Cole
- Center for Surgery & Public Health, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Quoc-Dien Trinh
- Center for Surgery & Public Health, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Xu Q, Hou X, Xiao T, Zhao W. Factors Affecting Medical Students’ Continuance Intention to Use Mobile Health Applications. J Multidiscip Healthc 2022; 15:471-484. [PMID: 35300179 PMCID: PMC8921670 DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s327347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background With the dramatic growth in smartphones, mobile health applications (apps) in the field of healthcare or medicine, which are characterized by strong operability, flexibility and interactivity, provide a supplementary approach to medical learning. The aims of this study were to awaken medical students to pay more attention to the learning function of mobile health app and gain deeper insight into our understanding of the factors influencing medical students’ mobile health apps continuance intention for enhancing practical utilization. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a self-designed questionnaire administered to medical students at Chongqing Medical University. Data were collected from 450 participants from March to April 2019. SPSS V.25 was used for the descriptive statistical analysis of the results. Smart PLS 3.2.7 was used to construct a structural equation modelling framework to estimate the influencing factors of medical students’ continuance intention to use mobile health apps. Results The external characteristics of mobile health apps had a positive influence on perceived ease of use (β = 0.378, P < 0.001). Perceived ease of use had a positive impact on perceived usefulness (β = 0.573, P < 0.001). Perceived ease of use (β = 0.195, P = 0.011), perceived usefulness (β = 0.450, P < 0.001) and subjective norms (β = 0.255, P < 0.001) had a positive impact on attitude towards using mobile health apps. Additionally, perceived usefulness (β = 0.202, P < 0.001) and attitude (β = 0.730, P < 0.001) had a remarkable influence on continuance intention. Furthermore, the mediating effect of attitude between perceived usefulness and continuance intention was significant (β = 0.329, P < 0.001). Conclusion Both perceived usefulness and attitude have a significant effect on medical students’ mobile health apps continuance intention. So, we suggest apps providers and developers evoking and maintaining users’ interest in mobile health apps and perfecting apps’ features from various aspect. Also, more attention should be paid on social relationship to introduce medical students to familiarize mobile health apps and strengthen adhesiveness of medical students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Xu
- College of Medical Informatics, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Medical Data Science Academy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Medical Informatics Library, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaorong Hou
- College of Medical Informatics, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Medical Data Science Academy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tingchao Xiao
- Department of Medical Informatics Library, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenlong Zhao
- College of Medical Informatics, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Medical Data Science Academy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Wenlong Zhao, College of Medical Informatics Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 23 6571 4682, Email
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Towards Understanding the Usability Attributes of AI-Enabled eHealth Mobile Applications. JOURNAL OF HEALTHCARE ENGINEERING 2022; 2021:5313027. [PMID: 34970424 PMCID: PMC8714331 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5313027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Mobile application (app) use is increasingly becoming an essential part of our daily lives. Due to their significant usefulness, people rely on them to perform multiple tasks seamlessly in almost all aspects of everyday life. Similarly, there has been immense progress in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, especially deep learning, computer vision, natural language processing, and robotics. These technologies are now actively being implemented in smartphone apps and healthcare, providing multiple healthcare services. However, several factors affect the usefulness of mobile healthcare apps, and usability is an important one. There are various healthcare apps developed for each specific task, and the success of these apps depends on their performance. This study presents a systematic review of the existing apps and discusses their usability attributes. It highlights the usability models, outlines, and guidelines proposed in previous research for designing apps with improved usability characteristics. Thirty-nine research articles were reviewed and examined to identify the usability attributes, framework, and app design conducted. The results showed that satisfaction, efficiency, and learnability are the most important usability attributes to consider when designing eHealth mobile apps. Surprisingly, other significant attributes for healthcare apps, such as privacy and security, were not among the most indicated attributes in the studies.
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