A Web-Based Application for Complex Health Care Populations: User-Centered Design Approach.

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Health Informatics
• Patient-Centered Care

Background:

• eHealth technology offers potential for managing complex healthcare systems and chronic conditions.
• Challenges in eHealth require development of efficient programs and user-friendly interfaces, especially with ongoing social distancing.
• Information technology is vital for healthcare continuity and patient support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a personalized, web-based mobile application for complex healthcare populations.
• To provide tailored support for individuals with chronic diseases, rare conditions, autism, disabilities, and cognitive impairments.
• To facilitate secure data access for patient support networks and improve clinical data management.

Main Methods:

• Application design based on patient-centered and user-centered design (UCD) principles.
• Needs assessment through focus groups and surveys to understand user context and preferences.
• Observational study with 116 patients and 253 users, followed by feedback surveys.

Main Results:

• Developed a versatile graphical user interface (GUI) with 10 user profiles and 81 tested functions.
• Modular structure based on disease or medical area identified for replicable design methods.
• 82% patient satisfaction reported; healthcare providers noted improved communication and data quality needs.

Conclusions:

• Patient-centered GUI design and promotion of medical literacy significantly improve eHealth usability.
• The app addresses health system challenges by maximizing eHealth product impact and overcoming literature-reported gaps.
• Key beneficial features include modeling of formal/informal care networks and a modular structure for comorbidity management.