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Exploring the Use of Mobile Apps for Fostering Sustainability-Oriented Corporate Culture: A Qualitative Analysis. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14127380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Information systems (IS) play a central role in promoting corporate sustainability and pro-environmental behavior. This study explores the use of mobile apps for fostering sustainability-oriented corporate culture. It accentuates issues relating to sustainability-oriented corporate culture (RQ1), app meta-requirements as a strategic approach to addressing these issues (RQ2), as well as design and implementation principles (RQ3). Referring to the literature on sustainability apps, gamification, and nudging, our qualitative research design combines an analysis of four corporate apps intending to promote sustainable behavior and expert interviews (Grounded Theory). The proposed framework supports the planning, realization, and monitoring of this targeted app use. Single cultural dimensions inform seven issues in culture development. Five meta-requirements address this multi-dimensionality, challenges provided by new digital working environments, and principles of Green IT. Four design principles support, extend, and integrate current knowledge on app features, nudging, and gamification. Five variables determine the app intervention and maturity level. We conclude that this targeted app use should intend to foster the sustainability orientation within all dimensions of corporate culture instead of being limited to promoting sustainable behavior.
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Gupta K, Roy S, Altameem A, Kumar R, Saudagar AKJ, Poonia RC. Usability Evaluation and Classification of mHealth Applications for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Using MARS and ID3 Algorithm. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19126999. [PMID: 35742248 PMCID: PMC9222518 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19126999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The rapid growth of mHealth applications for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients’ self-management has motivated the evaluation of these applications from both the usability and user point of view. The objective of this study was to identify mHealth applications that focus on T2DM from the Android store and rate them from the usability perspective using the MARS tool. Additionally, a classification of these mHealth applications was conducted using the ID3 algorithm to identify the most preferred application. The usability of the applications was assessed by two experts using MARS. A total of 11 mHealth applications were identified from the initial search, which fulfilled our inclusion criteria. The usability of the applications was rated using the MARS scale, from 1 (inadequate) to 5 (excellent). The Functionality (3.23) and Aesthetics (3.22) attributes had the highest score, whereas Information (3.1) had the lowest score. Among the 11 applications, “mySugr” had the highest average MARS score for both Application Quality (4.1/5) as well as Application Subjective Quality (4.5/5). Moreover, from the classification conducted using the ID3 algorithm, it was observed that 6 out of 11 mHealth applications were preferred for the self-management of T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamaldeep Gupta
- Faculty of Computing and Information Technology, Usha Martin University, Ranchi 835103, India; (K.G.); (S.R.)
| | - Sharmistha Roy
- Faculty of Computing and Information Technology, Usha Martin University, Ranchi 835103, India; (K.G.); (S.R.)
| | - Ayman Altameem
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, College of Applied Studies and Community Services, King Saud University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Raghvendra Kumar
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, GIET University, Rayagada 765022, India;
| | - Abdul Khader Jilani Saudagar
- Information Systems Department, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 11432, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence:
| | - Ramesh Chandra Poonia
- Department of Computer Science, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore 560029, India;
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Health and Sustainability Co-Benefits of Eating Behaviors: Towards a Science of Dietary Eco-Wellness. Prev Med Rep 2022; 28:101878. [PMID: 35832638 PMCID: PMC9272027 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.101878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Two of the greatest challenges of our times - climate change and the linked epidemics of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease - are fueled in part by the over-consumption of carbon-intensive high calorie foodstuffs. Converging evidence from hundreds of studies has confirmed that transitioning from diets high in meat and dairy to largely plant-based diets not only is necessary for climate change mitigation but will also lead to substantive reductions in morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, there are only the faintest beginnings of a robust science of behavioral eco-wellness, defined here as the study of how individual choices, behaviors, and habits impact both personal health and environmental sustainability. This paper focusses on the sub-field of dietary eco-wellness, which looks at health and sustainability impacts of food production, procurement, preparation, and consumption. To advance this crucial agenda, investigators will need to invent, develop, and assess approaches aimed at helping people transition towards healthier and more sustainable diets. In order to accurately and reliably assess appropriate outcomes, existing assessment methods will need to be refined, new techniques will need to be advanced, and all measurement methods will need to be validated. Local conditions will influence the effectiveness of various approaches, and so it is important that scientists and communities share their stories of success and challenge for others to learn from. This paper reviews emerging evidence from relevant studies in dozens of countries, suggesting next steps, potential pathways, and a framework for interpretation.
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Promoting Sustainable Mobility: To What Extent Is “Health” Considered by Mobility App Studies? A Review and a Conceptual Framework. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su14010047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Promoting cycling and walking in cities improves individual health and wellbeing and, together with public transport, promotes societal sustainability patterns. Recently, smartphone apps informing and motivating sustainable mobility usage have increased. Current research has applied and investigated these apps; however, none have specifically considered mobility-related health components within mobility apps. The aim of this study is to examine the (potential) role of health-related information provided in mobility apps to influence mobility behavior. Following a systematic literature review of empirical studies applying mobility apps, this paper (1) investigates the studies and mobility apps regarding communicated information, strategies, and effects on mobility behavior and (2) explores how, and to what extent, health and its components are addressed. The reviewed studies focus on environmental information, especially CO2-emissions. Health is represented by physical activity or calories burned. The self-exposure to air pollution, noise, heat, traffic injuries or green spaces is rarely addressed. We propose a conceptual framework based on protection motivation theory to include health in mobility apps for sustainable mobility behavior change. Addressing people’s self-protective motivation could empower mobility app users. It might be a possible trigger for behavior change, leading towards healthy and sustainable mobility and thus, have individual and societal benefits.
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Woulfe F, Fadahunsi KP, Smith S, Chirambo GB, Larsson E, Henn P, Mawkin M, O' Donoghue J. Identification and Evaluation of Methodologies to Assess the Quality of Mobile Health Apps in High-, Low-, and Middle-Income Countries: Rapid Review. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2021; 9:e28384. [PMID: 34636737 PMCID: PMC8548973 DOI: 10.2196/28384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, there has been rapid growth in the availability and use of mobile health (mHealth) apps around the world. A consensus regarding an accepted standard to assess the quality of such apps has yet to be reached. A factor that exacerbates the challenge of mHealth app quality assessment is variations in the interpretation of quality and its subdimensions. Consequently, it has become increasingly difficult for health care professionals worldwide to distinguish apps of high quality from those of lower quality. This exposes both patients and health care professionals to unnecessary risks. Despite progress, limited understanding of the contributions of researchers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) exists on this topic. Furthermore, the applicability of quality assessment methodologies in LMIC settings remains relatively unexplored. OBJECTIVE This rapid review aims to identify current methodologies in the literature to assess the quality of mHealth apps, understand what aspects of quality these methodologies address, determine what input has been made by authors from LMICs, and examine the applicability of such methodologies in LMICs. METHODS This review was registered with PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews). A search of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus was performed for papers related to mHealth app quality assessment methodologies, which were published in English between 2005 and 2020. By taking a rapid review approach, a thematic and descriptive analysis of the papers was performed. RESULTS Electronic database searches identified 841 papers. After the screening process, 52 papers remained for inclusion. Of the 52 papers, 5 (10%) proposed novel methodologies that could be used to evaluate mHealth apps of diverse medical areas of interest, 8 (15%) proposed methodologies that could be used to assess apps concerned with a specific medical focus, and 39 (75%) used methodologies developed by other published authors to evaluate the quality of various groups of mHealth apps. The authors in 6% (3/52) of papers were solely affiliated to institutes in LMICs. A further 15% (8/52) of papers had at least one coauthor affiliated to an institute in an LMIC. CONCLUSIONS Quality assessment of mHealth apps is complex in nature and at times subjective. Despite growing research on this topic, to date, an all-encompassing appropriate means for evaluating the quality of mHealth apps does not exist. There has been engagement with authors affiliated to institutes across LMICs; however, limited consideration of current generic methodologies for application in LMIC settings has been identified. TRIAL REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42020205149; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=205149.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fionn Woulfe
- School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Kayode Philip Fadahunsi
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Smith
- School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Emma Larsson
- Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust, Chertsey, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick Henn
- Assert Centre, College of Medicine & Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Mala Mawkin
- School of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - John O' Donoghue
- Malawi eHealth Research Centre, University College Cork, College Road, Cork, Ireland
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Bernstein A, Katz DL. Lifestyle Medicine and Climate Change: The Role of Providers in Addressing a Public Health Challenge. Am J Lifestyle Med 2021; 16:251-253. [DOI: 10.1177/15598276211017097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change threatens to undermine efforts to improve human health through lifestyle modification. Lifestyle medicine providers, however, may be well positioned to help patients create new healthful and climate-friendly habits, such as adopting a plant-based diet and limiting or eliminating car travel. Through each provider’s own example and patient engagement efforts, as well as though new technology and the collective action of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, the broader lifestyle medicine community can play an outsized role in addressing climate change.
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Douglas BD, Brauer M. Gamification to prevent climate change: a review of games and apps for sustainability. Curr Opin Psychol 2021; 42:89-94. [PMID: 34052619 DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Gamification, the application of game design principles to a nongaming context, has been used to promote pro-environmental behaviors. Such principles have been implemented in board games, team competitions, electronic games, smartphone apps, and in apps that researchers developed primarily to collect data. We review the games and apps that have been evaluated in empirical research in the last 5 years and provide a list of apps and games that have yet to be tested. Gamification has been used for sustainability education, energy reduction, transportation, air quality, waste management, and water conservation. Although we do not know yet why certain games and apps are more effective than others, gamification appears to be a promising avenue for preventing climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin D Douglas
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1202 W. Johnson St., Madison WI 53706, USA.
| | - Markus Brauer
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1202 W. Johnson St., Madison WI 53706, USA.
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8
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Akbar S, Coiera E, Magrabi F. Safety concerns with consumer-facing mobile health applications and their consequences: a scoping review. J Am Med Inform Assoc 2021; 27:330-340. [PMID: 31599936 PMCID: PMC7025360 DOI: 10.1093/jamia/ocz175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To summarize the research literature about safety concerns with consumer-facing health apps and their consequences. Materials and Methods We searched bibliographic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane libraries from January 2013 to May 2019 for articles about health apps. Descriptive information about safety concerns and consequences were extracted and classified into natural categories. The review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) statement. Results Of the 74 studies identified, the majority were reviews of a single or a group of similar apps (n = 66, 89%), nearly half related to disease management (n = 34, 46%). A total of 80 safety concerns were identified, 67 related to the quality of information presented including incorrect or incomplete information, variation in content, and incorrect or inappropriate response to consumer needs. The remaining 13 related to app functionality including gaps in features, lack of validation for user input, delayed processing, failure to respond to health dangers, and faulty alarms. Of the 52 reports of actual or potential consequences, 5 had potential for patient harm. We also identified 66 reports about gaps in app development, including the lack of expert involvement, poor evidence base, and poor validation. Conclusions Safety of apps is an emerging public health issue. The available evidence shows that apps pose clinical risks to consumers. Involvement of consumers, regulators, and healthcare professionals in development and testing can improve quality. Additionally, mandatory reporting of safety concerns is needed to improve outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saba Akbar
- Centre for Health Informatics, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Enrico Coiera
- Centre for Health Informatics, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Farah Magrabi
- Centre for Health Informatics, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
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Bousquet J, Anto JM, Haahtela T, Jousilahti P, Erhola M, Basagaña X, Czarlewski W, Odemyr M, Palkonen S, Sofiev M, Velasco C, Bedbrook A, Delgado R, Kouznetsov R, Mäkelä M, Palamarchuk Y, Saarinen K, Tommila E, Valovirta E, Vasankari T, Zuberbier T, Annesi-Maesano I, Benveniste S, Mathieu-Dupas E, Pépin JL, Picard R, Zeng S, Ayache J, Calves Venturos N, Micheli Y, Jullian-Desayes I, Laune D. Digital transformation of health and care to sustain Planetary Health: The MASK proof-of-concept for airway diseases-POLLAR symposium under the auspices of Finland's Presidency of the EU, 2019 and MACVIA-France, Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD, WH0) demonstration project, Reference Site Collaborative Network of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing. Clin Transl Allergy 2020; 10:24. [PMID: 32577216 PMCID: PMC7304084 DOI: 10.1186/s13601-020-00321-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In December 2019, a conference entitled “Europe That Protects: Safeguarding Our Planet, Safeguarding Our Health” was held in Helsinki. It was co-organized by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, the Finnish Environment Institute and the European Commission, under the auspices of Finland’s Presidency of the EU. As a side event, a symposium organized as the final POLLAR (Impact of air POLLution on Asthma and Rhinitis) meeting explored the digital transformation of health and care to sustain planetary health in airway diseases. The Finnish Allergy Programme collaborates with MASK (Mobile Airways Sentinel NetworK) and can be considered as a proof-of-concept to impact Planetary Health. The Good Practice of DG Santé (The Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety) on digitally-enabled, patient-centred care pathways is in line with the objectives of the Finnish Allergy Programme. The ARIACARE-Digital network has been deployed in 25 countries. It represents an example of the digital cross-border exchange of real-world data and experience with the aim to improve patient care. The integration of information technology tools for climate, weather, air pollution and aerobiology in mobile Health applications will enable the development of an alert system. Citizens will thus be informed about personal environmental threats, which may also be linked to indicators of Planetary Health and sustainability. The digital transformation of the public health policy was also proposed, following the experience of the Agency for Health Quality and Assessment of Catalonia (AQuAS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Bousquet
- Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Berlin Institute of Health, Comprehensive Allergy Center, Berlin, Germany.,MACVIA-France, Montpellier, France.,CHU Arnaud de Villeneuve, 371 Avenue du Doyen Gaston Giraud, 34295 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Josep M Anto
- ISGlobAL, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tari Haahtela
- Skin and Allergy Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital and Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Marina Erhola
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Xavier Basagaña
- ISGlobAL, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Mikaëla Odemyr
- EFA European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients' Associations, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Susanna Palkonen
- EFA European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients' Associations, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mikael Sofiev
- Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), Helsinki, Finland
| | - César Velasco
- Agency for Health Quality and Assessment of Catalonia (AQuAS), Barcelona, Spain.,Obukhov Institute for Atmospheric Physics, Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | - Rostislav Kouznetsov
- Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), Helsinki, Finland.,Obukhov Institute for Atmospheric Physics, Moscow, Russia
| | - Mika Mäkelä
- Skin and Allergy Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital and Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | | - Erja Tommila
- Finnish Lung Health Association (Filha), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Erkka Valovirta
- Department of Lung Diseases and Clinical Immunology, University of Turku and Terveystalo Allergy Clinic, Turku, Finland
| | - Tuula Vasankari
- FILHA, Finnish Lung Health Association, Helsinki, and Turku University, Turku, Finland
| | - Torsten Zuberbier
- Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Berlin Institute of Health, Comprehensive Allergy Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Isabella Annesi-Maesano
- Epidemiology of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases, Department Institute Pierre Louis of Epidemiology and Public Health, INSERM and Sorbonne Universités, Medical School Saint Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Samuel Benveniste
- National Center of Expertise in Cognitive Stimulation (CEN STIMCO), Broca Hospital, Paris, France.,Mines ParisTech CRI-PSL Research University, Fontainebleau, France
| | | | - Jean-Louis Pépin
- Laboratoire HP2, Grenoble, INSERM, U1042 and CHU de Grenoble, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Robert Picard
- Conseil Général de l'Economie Ministère de l'Economie, de l'Industrie et du Numérique, Paris, France
| | | | - Julia Ayache
- National Center of Expertise in Cognitive Stimulation (CEN STIMCO), Broca Hospital, Paris, France.,Institute of Psychology, Memory and Cognition Laboratory, Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Boulogne Billancourt, France
| | | | | | - Ingrid Jullian-Desayes
- Laboratoire HP2, Grenoble, INSERM, U1042 and CHU de Grenoble, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
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McKay FH, Slykerman S, Dunn M. The App Behavior Change Scale: Creation of a Scale to Assess the Potential of Apps to Promote Behavior Change. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2019; 7:e11130. [PMID: 30681967 PMCID: PMC6367670 DOI: 10.2196/11130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Using mobile phone apps to promote behavior change is becoming increasingly common. However, there is no clear way to rate apps against their behavior change potential. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to develop a reliable, theory-based scale that can be used to assess the behavior change potential of smartphone apps. METHODS A systematic review of all studies purporting to investigate app's behavior change potential was conducted. All scales and measures from the identified studies were collected to create an item pool. From this item pool, 3 health promotion exerts created the App Behavior Change Scale (ABACUS). To test the scale, 70 physical activity apps were rated to provide information on reliability. RESULTS The systematic review returned 593 papers, the abstracts and titles of all were reviewed, with the full text of 77 papers reviewed; 50 papers met the inclusion criteria. From these 50 papers, 1333 questions were identified. Removing duplicates and unnecessary questions left 130 individual questions, which were then refined into the 21-item scale. The ABACUS demonstrates high percentage agreement among reviewers (over 80%), with 3 questions scoring a Krippendorff alpha that would indicate agreement and a further 7 came close with alphas >.5. The scale overall reported high interrater reliability (2-way mixed interclass coefficient=.92, 95% CI 0.81-0.97) and high internal consistency (Cronbach alpha=.93). CONCLUSIONS The ABACUS is a reliable tool that can be used to determine the behavior change potential of apps. This instrument fills a gap by allowing the evaluation of a large number of apps to be standardized across a range of health categories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona H McKay
- School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia
| | - Sarah Slykerman
- School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia
| | - Matthew Dunn
- School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia
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Bardus M, Ali A, Demachkieh F, Hamadeh G. Assessing the Quality of Mobile Phone Apps for Weight Management: User-Centered Study With Employees From a Lebanese University. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2019; 7:e9836. [PMID: 30672742 PMCID: PMC6364203 DOI: 10.2196/mhealth.9836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2018] [Revised: 09/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Evaluating the quality of mobile health apps for weight loss and weight management is important to understand whether these can be used for obesity prevention and treatment. Recent reviews call for more research on multidimensional aspects of app quality, especially involving end users, as there are already many expert reviews on this domain. However, no quantitative study has investigated how laypersons see popular apps for weight management and perceive different dimensions of app quality. Objective This study aimed to explore how laypersons evaluate the quality of 6 free weight management apps (My Diet Coach, SparkPeople, Lark, MyFitnessPal, MyPlate, and My Diet Diary), which achieved the highest quality ratings in a related and recent expert review. Methods A user-centered study was conducted with 36 employees of a Lebanese university. Participants enrolled in the study on a rolling basis between October 2016 and March 2017. Participants were randomly assigned an app to use for 2 weeks. App quality was evaluated at the end of the trial period using the Mobile App Rating Scale user version (uMARS). uMARS assesses the dimensions of engagement, functionality, aesthetics, information, and subjective quality on 5-point scales. Internal consistency and interrater agreement were examined. The associations between uMARS scores and users’ demographic characteristics were also explored using nonparametric tests. Analyses were completed in November 2017. Results Overall, the 6 apps were of moderately good quality (median uMARS score 3.6, interquartile range [IQR] 0.3). The highest total uMARS scores were achieved by Lark (mean 4.0 [SD 0.5]) and MyPlate (mean 3.8 [SD 0.4]), which also achieved the highest subjective quality scores (Lark: mean 3.3 [SD 1.4]; MyPlate: mean 3.3 [SD 0.8]). Functionality was the domain with the highest rating (median 3.9, IQR 0.3), followed by aesthetics (median 3.7, IQR 0.5), information (median 3.7, IQR 0.1), and engagement (median 3.3, IQR 0.2). Subjective quality was judged low (median 2.5, IQR 0.9). Overall, subjective quality was strongly and positively related (P<.001) with total uMARS score (ρ=.75), engagement (ρ=.68), information, and aesthetics (ρ=.60) but not functionality (ρ=.40; P=.02). Higher engagement scores were reported among healthy (P=.003) and obese individuals (P=.03), who also showed higher total uMARS (P=.04) and subjective quality (P=.05) scores. Conclusions Although the apps were considered highly functional, they were relatively weak in engagement and subjective quality scores, indicating a low propensity of using the apps in the future. As engagement was the subdomain most strongly associated with subjective quality, app developers and researchers should focus on creating engaging apps, holding constant the functionality, aesthetics, and information quality. The tested apps (in particular Lark and MyPlate) were perceived as more engaging and of higher quality among healthy, obese individuals, making them a promising mode of delivery for self-directed interventions promoting weight control among the sampled population or in similar and comparable settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Bardus
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ahmed Ali
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Farah Demachkieh
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.,SANAD - The Home Hospice Organization of Lebanon, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ghassan Hamadeh
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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Gorman RK, Wellbeloved-Stone CA, Valdez RS. Uncovering the invisible patient work system through a case study of breast cancer self-management. ERGONOMICS 2018; 61:1575-1590. [PMID: 30044709 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2018.1503339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
As patients transition from passive recipients to actors in their health management, there is an opportunity to enhance theoretical frameworks describing the patient work system. Previous macroergonomic frameworks depict how patients manage health outside the institutional healthcare system, though none formally integrate the concept of invisible work - self-management practices undervalued or unseen by healthcare providers. This article overlays invisible work onto the patient work system through a case study of breast cancer self-management. Thirty breast cancer survivors were interviewed about positive and negative experiences post-diagnosis. Invisible and visible components of participants' work systems were explicated through qualitative content analysis. The results demonstrate that all participants had invisible work system components, and based on these findings, this article theorises the existence of an 'invisible patient work system.' Future research and design to support self-management practices should explicitly address the invisible characteristics of the work systems in which patients are embedded.Practitioner Summary: This article seeks to enhance the healthcare human factors literature by integrating the concept of invisible work into preexisting patient work system models. Through a secondary analysis of an interview study with 30 breast cancer survivors, we found that all participants recalled invisible components of their respective work systems. Abbreviations CHIT Consumer Health Information Technology SEIPS Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety IRB Institutional Review Board SES Socioeconomic Status mHealth Mobile Health PHR Patient Health Record ICAN Instrument for Patient Capacity Assessment HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accoutability Act.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan K Gorman
- a Department of Public Health Sciences , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , VA , USA
| | | | - Rupa S Valdez
- a Department of Public Health Sciences , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , VA , USA
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