Voice-Activated Self-Monitoring Application (VoiS): User Acceptance and Satisfaction in the Field

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Health Informatics
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Chronic conditions like diabetes (DM) and hypertension (HTN) require consistent self-management.
• Smart speaker platforms offer potential for convenient patient support and data tracking.
• Existing self-management tools may lack user-friendliness or real-world applicability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate user acceptance and satisfaction with the voice-activated self-monitoring (VoiS) application in a real-world setting.
• To assess the usability and perceived usefulness of VoiS for individuals with DM and HTN.
• To identify operational challenges and user feedback for future VoiS development.

Main Methods:

• Field testing of the VoiS application with nine adults managing DM and HTN.
• Participants used VoiS at home for one week, integrating smart speaker and mobile device access.
• Data collection included phone interviews for operational errors and structured surveys for acceptability and satisfaction.

Main Results:

• Participants reported VoiS as easy to use and useful, with strong intentions to continue usage.
• High levels of user satisfaction with the VoiS application were observed.
• Operational errors and challenges were noted, including technical issues and the smart reminder feature.

Conclusions:

• VoiS is perceived as an effective and motivating tool for routine self-monitoring of biomarkers in DM and HTN patients.
• The voice-activated approach demonstrates potential for improving adherence to self-management regimens.
• Addressing identified technical and feature-specific challenges can further enhance VoiS's real-world utility.