Refinement of a Parent–Child Shared Asthma Management Mobile Health App: Human-Centered Design Study (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND The school-age years, approximately ages seven through eleven, represent a natural transition when children begin assuming some responsibility for their asthma management. Previously, we designed a theoretically-derived, tailored parent-child shared asthma management mHealth application (app), Improving Asthma Care Together (IMPACT). OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to use human centered design (HCD) to refine IMPACT to ensure that a developmentally appropriate, engaging app emerged. METHODS This study used a mixed methods design from December 2019 through April 2021. Our app refinement used the HCD process of research, ideation, design, evaluation, and implementation, including six cycles of design and evaluation. The design and evaluation cycles focused on core app functionality, child engagement, and overall refinement. Evaluation with parent-child dyads entailed in-person and remote concept testing and usability testing sessions, after which rapid cycle thematic analyses identified key insights that informed future design refinement. RESULTS Twelve parent-child dyads enrolled in at least one round of this study. Eight of the 12 child participants were male with a mean age of 9.9 + 1.6 years and all parent participants were female. Throughout evaluation cycles, dyads selected preferred app layouts, gamification concepts, and overall features with a final design prototype emerging for full-scale development and implementation. CONCLUSIONS A theoretically-derived, evidence-based shared asthma management app was co-designed with end users to address real-world pain points and priorities. An eight-week pilot testing app feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy is forthcoming.

Improving Asthma Care Together (IMPACT) mobile health intervention for school-age children with asthma and their parents: a pilot randomised controlled trial study protocol

“…Generative research determined parent–child dyad needs and priorities with respect to asthma management 27. Next, dyads worked alongside the study team to select the type of intervention (mobile health app and wearable) and refine the features to ensure they address dyad-identified priorities 26 27. Finally, dyads participated in extensive usability testing and refinement to ensure IMPACT emerged as an engaging, useful and functional system to support shared asthma management 26.…”

“…Next, dyads worked alongside the study team to select the type of intervention (mobile health app and wearable) and refine the features to ensure they address dyad-identified priorities 26 27. Finally, dyads participated in extensive usability testing and refinement to ensure IMPACT emerged as an engaging, useful and functional system to support shared asthma management 26. Parent–child dyads will not be involved in participant recruitment for this pilot RCT, but study results will be disseminated to all families that contributed to the development of IMPACT.…”

“…Using a Human-Centred Design framework, we collaborated with parent–child dyads to codesign Improving Asthma Care Together (IMPACT), a tailored shared management mobile health (mHealth) application that pairs the parent and child together as a shared management team 26 27. IMPACT aims to help families tailor asthma management strategies to fit the realities of their social environments while facilitating intentional transition of asthma management to the child.…”