Multimodal mental models: Understanding users' design expectations for mHealth apps.

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Digital Health
• Mobile Health (mHealth)

Background:

• Understanding user mental models is crucial for effective mobile health (mHealth) app design.
• Existing research often overlooks the complexity and multimodal nature of these mental models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the shared mental models of mHealth app users.
• To uncover the complexity and influencing factors of these mental models.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative structured interviews were conducted with users of mobile health applications.
• Analysis focused on identifying common themes and patterns in user perceptions.

Main Results:

• Users' mental models for mHealth apps are complex and multimodal, with distinct dimensions for aesthetics and craftsmanship.
• These models are influenced by experiences across the broader mobile app landscape, not just health apps.
• Prototypical design components, common to non-health apps, are present in mHealth mental models.

Conclusions:

• mHealth app designers should consider prototypical features and trends from the wider app ecosystem.
• Designers need to balance the multidimensional and often conflicting aspects of user mental models.
• Incorporating salient features and aligning with broader app trends can enhance user engagement and app effectiveness.