Preferences for Mobile App Features to Support People Living With Chronic Heart Diseases: Discrete Choice Study

Sumudu Avanthi Hewage ¹, Sameera Senanayake ^1,2,3, David Brain ¹

⁰Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation and Centre for Healthcare Transformation, School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, 61 Musk Avenue, Brisbane, 4059, Australia, +61 07 3388 6077.

Jmir Mhealth and Uhealth +

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April 25, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Mobile health app features tailored to user preferences significantly increase adoption for chronic heart disease management. Vital sign monitoring and personalized education are key drivers for sustained engagement and improved outcomes.

Area Of Science

Digital Health
Cardiovascular Disease Management
Health Informatics

Background

Digital health technologies offer solutions for chronic disease management, addressing access and affordability barriers.
Effectiveness of digital health tools hinges on user adoption and sustained engagement, which are influenced by individual preferences.

Purpose Of The Study

To quantify preferences of individuals with chronic heart disease (CHD) for specific features of mobile health applications.
To identify key attributes that influence the adoption and sustained use of mobile health apps for self-managing CHD.

Main Methods

An unlabeled web-based choice survey was conducted with adults diagnosed with CHD in Australia.
Four attributes (ease of navigation, vital sign monitoring, health education, symptom diary) were evaluated using a D-optimal design and latent class model analysis.
Attribute importance and adoption rates for different app versions were estimated based on participant choices.

Main Results

Two distinct user classes were identified; one class (85%) showed a preference for app adoption, particularly favoring features like post-monitoring recommendations, tailored education, and flexible symptom diary entry.
Vital sign monitoring emerged as the most influential attribute.
Scenario analysis predicted an 84% adoption rate for basic features, increasing to 92% when app features aligned with user preferences.

Conclusions

Designing mobile health apps informed by user preferences can significantly enhance adoption and engagement for individuals with CHD.
Key features driving adoption include ease of navigation, vital sign monitoring, personalized education, and flexible data entry.
Further research is recommended to explore adoption factors across diverse patient populations.

Keywords:

adoption adoption rates app chronic heart disease digital health digital health technologies effectiveness health education heart disease latent class model mobile health app monitoring monitoring vital signs self-navigate symptom user user preferences