Implementation and evaluation of a mobile application to support occupational therapy education

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to evaluate the usability and effectiveness of a mobile application, ValTO, designed to enhance communication and professional reasoning skills in occupational therapy students through a case-based learning approach. Design/methodology/approach A descriptive exploratory study was conducted with 32 second-year occupational therapy students. The usability of the app was assessed using the Mobile Application Rating Scale and the System Usability Scale, complemented by the University of Oviedo’s Learning Satisfaction Survey. Findings The majority of students (77.8%) rated the app above average on the System Usability Scale, with 50% scoring it as excellent. Mobile Application Rating Scale scores revealed high ratings across functionality, aesthetics and information quality, with a significant correlation between app usability and user satisfaction. Increased student satisfaction was also observed in the Learning Satisfaction Survey compared to previous years. Originality/value ValTO integrates modern mobile health tools into occupational therapy education, enhancing students’ decision-making skills in an innovative, real-world context. This study contributes to the growing body of research on mobile health applications in educational settings, demonstrating their potential to improve both student engagement and learning outcomes.