Developing Mobile Health Interventions With Implementation in Mind: Application of the Multiphase Optimization...

Area of Science:

• Implementation Science
• Digital Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Thousands of mobile health (mHealth) solutions exist, yet patients and providers struggle to identify effective options.
• Limited research on intervention development and traditional evaluation methods hinder the creation of evidence-based mHealth solutions.
• The Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) offers a framework for developing interventions with optimal effectiveness, affordability, scalability, and efficiency (EASE).

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide guidance on conducting quality research within the preparation phase of the MOST for mHealth interventions.
• To outline methods for identifying intervention components, developing conceptual models, and achieving intervention EASE with implementation context in mind.
• To advance the applicability of the MOST in implementation science for developing impactful mHealth interventions.

Main Methods:

• Describing the methods used to develop an mHealth intervention within the MOST framework.
• Detailing the formative development of an mHealth-prompting intervention for a diabetes prevention program.
• Proposing recommendations for future researchers conducting formative research on mHealth interventions.

Main Results:

• The study outlines a practical approach to the preparation phase of the MOST for mHealth interventions.
• It provides a case example of developing an mHealth intervention for diabetes prevention.
• Recommendations are offered for enhancing the formative research process for mHealth interventions.

Conclusions:

• The MOST framework is well-suited for the efficient development and optimization of mHealth interventions.
• Applying an implementation-focused lens to the MOST preparation phase can maximize mHealth's public health impact.
• This study guides future intervention developers in leveraging mHealth for improved accessibility and reduced costs.