User-participatory development of FindMyApps; a tool to help people with mild dementia find supportive apps for self-management and meaningful activities

Abstract

Objective There is growing evidence that hand-held touchscreen devices (tablets) can support people with mild dementia to manage their life and engage in meaningful activities. However, as it can be difficult to find apps that match one’s personal needs, wishes and abilities, a person-centred selection tool was developed, called FindMyApps. Method To ensure its usability, the FindMyApps selection tool was developed using a ‘user-participatory design’ in which users (persons with dementia and informal carers), and experts (designers, developers and researchers) closely collaborated. In three short iterative rounds – so called ‘sprints’ – the users were invited to test whether the prototypes harmonised with their needs, wishes and abilities. Results Each sprint provided insight into potential improvements of the tool. The development team gained an understanding of issues regarding usefulness (e.g. meaningful content of (sub)categories for apps in domains of self-management and meaningful activities), as well as issues to increase the user-friendliness (e.g. intuitive design with instructive navigation support). Conclusion The FindMyApps selection tool was conceived as a means to make it easier for people with mild dementia to select apps meeting their needs, wishes and abilities. This provisional end version will be further tested, and, if necessary, improved in a feasibility study.

Exploratory study of clinician and patient views regarding the use of a preconception care app for women with diabetes

“…This approach to app development contrasts with the more traditional ‘waterfall’ method, a top-down approach that does not include the end user in the development process, and which is associated with problems with use, adoption and attrition. 53 Participants’ involvement and acceptance of the preconception care app has positive implications for the app because participants’ level of acceptance of an app can influence future implementation, uptake, adherence and health outcomes. 33,53 Due to the importance of optimising blood glucose levels prior to conception, it is particularly important that the app reaches women with DM before pregnancy; hence, the high level of enthusiasm and acceptance of the app by clinicians and women will play a major role in the successful integration of the app into routine diabetes care (in both primary and secondary care settings).…”

Tailored health communication: Opportunities and challenges in the digital era

“…Similarly, Kerkhof et al. 25 described the participatory design of a digital tool for people with mild dementia. They also proposed that collaboration among important stakeholders, such as patients, informal caregivers and designers, is critical to ensuring that the digital health tools being developed address their needs, wishes and abilities.…”

Impact of the FindMyApps program on people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia and their caregivers; an exploratory pilot randomised controlled trial

“…The apps in the FindMyApps library focus on self-management and meaningful activities, including social activities, and are all assessed on dementia-friendliness. The criteria used to include apps in this library were based on research conducted with people with dementia and their caregivers [14,22,23]. The FindMyApps selection tool is intended to be used by persons with early-stage dementia with support of their caregiver [23].…”

“…The FindMyApps intervention, consisting of a training session and personalised selection-tool, has been designed in collaboration with people with dementia and their caregivers [22,23]. FindMyApps aids users in operating a tablet and selecting apps that match their interests, needs and abilities.…”

“…The FindMyApps program was developed in accordance with the Medical Research Council (MRC) framework for developing and evaluating complex interventions [25,26]. First, two studies were conducted to develop the FindMyApps program by means of user-participatory development [22,23]. Next, a first pilot study evaluated the feasibility of the program for people with dementia [27].…”