Fetal Monitoring mHealth Apps: A Mixed-Methods Study of Users' Perceptions of App Effects [ID: 1377502

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about users' perceptions of fetal monitoring mHealth apps (FMAs). mHealth guidelines for developing behavior change interventions, like FMAs, recommend consistent evaluation of these apps to examine users' perceptions of app effects and to identify unintended consequences or harms to app users. The objective of this secondary, mixed-methods study was to explore app users' perceptions of the interventions' effects. METHODS: A convenience sample of 806 pregnant individuals aged 18+ who voluntarily downloaded a free, proprietary FMA completed a survey, including open- and closed-ended items in four survey sections: app engagement, perceived efficacy of the app raising awareness of fetal movements, health behaviors and diagnoses, and pregnancy and birth outcomes. We conducted a thematic analysis of the responses of the 299 participants who answered open-ended questions and triangulated themes with app user data (DMU IRB-2021-17). RESULTS: Four major app effects were reported by users: reduced prenatal anxiety and increased parent/family–fetal bonding, awareness of fetal movement, and health-seeking behavior in the presence of decreased fetal movement. Moreover, app user data suggested that these benefits were amplified by more consistent app use. CONCLUSION: Collectively, FMA users in this study associated app use with clinically significant prenatal outcomes and did not report that app use led to consequences or harm. From an institutional perspective, these findings may support health systems and prenatal providers who are investigating whether and how to integrate digital patient support modalities into prenatal care and are seeking evidence to support decision-making.