Development and evaluation of a self-management application for patients with gout

The present study aimed to develop a self-management application for patients with gout and determine the clinical feasibility of the application.

A self-management application (GoutCare) was developed from July 1, 2016, to October 30, 2016, by reflecting on the key elements of Fisher & Fisher's information-motivation-behavioral skills model. In order to determine the clinical feasibility of the application, a non-equivalent, control group, pre-test-posttest study was conducted among patients with gout who visited a university hospital from January to April 2017. Twenty-seven subjects in the experimental group used the smartphone allocation for 8 weeks, and 29 subjects in the control group were provided a leaflet with information on gout self-management. Knowledge of gout, self-management attitude, perceived social support, self-efficacy, self-management performance, and health-related quality of life before and after the intervention were measured using a structured questionnaire.

The self-management application (GoutCare) developed for patients with gout was found to be effective in improving the knowledge of gout, self-management attitude, perceived social support, self-efficacy, self-management performance, and physical health-related quality of life.

In conclusion, the application contributed to improving the self-management performance and health-related quality of life in the patients with gout. Therefore, this application can be used as a nursing intervention program for promoting self-management in patients with gout.