Abstract 10731: Evaluation of Patient Perspectives on the Use of Mobile Apps to Support Heart Failure Management

Abstract

Background: Adherence to diet and medical therapies are key to improving heart failure (HF) outcomes; however, nonadherence is common. While mobile apps may be a promising way to support patients with adherence via education and monitoring, little is known about HF patient opinions regarding adoption of apps for HF management; which is critical to understand for these tools to be successfully developed, implemented, and adopted. Objective: To determine patients’ needs, motivations and challenges on the use of mobile apps to support HF management. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study using focus groups (n=4,60 minutes) was conducted among HF patients (aged ≥18 yrs, smartphone/tablet users, on stable medical therapy without hospital admission for ≥ 6 months) from outpatient HF clinics in Toronto, Canada. The Diffusion of Innovation theory informed a ten-question interview guide. Interview transcripts were independently coded by two researchers and analyzed using content analysis. Results: Nineteen HF patients (65 ± 10 yrs, 12 men) identified technology and app use behaviours, opportunities and challenges across six main themes: 1)‘Patient usage of technology’, many patients already used technology for daily activities and monitoring health; 2) ‘Patient views on adopting new technology’, some patients reported being early adopters of technology, while others would wait; 3) ‘Factors impacting technology use by patients’, included access to accurate information, easy and accessible user-interface; 4) ‘Providing patient support through access to information and self-monitoring’, apps could provide education on HF-related content (e.g., diet, medication, exercise, symptoms); 5) ‘Facilitating connection and communication’, apps could help information sharing with healthcare providers and connect with other patients; 6) ‘Patient preferences of app features’, app features such as reminders for medication, and visuals to show changes in HF symptoms were favoured. Conclusions: HF patients perceive several benefits to app use for HF self-management. Capitalizing on the opportunities apps offer may maximize their adoption by patients and support adherence to diet and medical therapies to improve HF outcomes.