Mobile App to Help People With Chronic Illness Reflect on Their Strengths: Formative Evaluation and Usability Testing

Area of Science:

• Digital health
• Patient empowerment
• Rheumatic diseases

Background:

• Patient engagement and empowerment are crucial for person-centered care in chronic illnesses.
• Mobile apps can enhance consultation quality by facilitating patient reflection.
• Apps focusing on patient empowerment and personal strengths are currently limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a mobile app for patients with rheumatic diseases to reflect on their strengths before healthcare consultations.
• To assess the usability of this app in a non-clinical setting.

Main Methods:

• A prototype app was developed based on patient and healthcare provider input, featuring strength reflection, goal setting, and sharing options.
• Formative evaluation involved 18 patients and 7 healthcare providers for refinement.
• Usability testing with 12 patients included self-report measures and semistructured interviews.

Main Results:

• The app prototype required minor adjustments after formative evaluation.
• Usability testing showed acceptable usability (median System Usability Scale score 86.3).
• 75% of patients reported increased awareness of their strengths; significant improvements were noted in self-efficacy and negative emotions.

Conclusions:

• The mobile app is perceived as meaningful and supportive of patient awareness regarding their strengths.
• Functionality supporting strengths use and goal attainment appears beneficial.
• Further clinical efficacy and usability studies involving healthcare providers are recommended.