Information needs and preferences of patients with an ankle fracture: User involvement study creating an mHealth solution

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to employ a user-driven participatory design (PD) approach to develop an mHealth solution that addresses patients’ information needs after surgical or non-surgical treatment for an ankle fracture. MethodsPatients with an ankle fracture and health care professionals along the treatment pathway in both the hospital and municipality participated in four workshops (WS). ResultsWe found that patients with an ankle fracture need information on topics such as “a typical course,” “bandages and assistive devices,” “what can I feel,” “what may I do,” “what to usually worry about,” “medicine,” “tips and tricks,” and “contact information.” Moreover, patients requested diverse modes of dissemination, preferably a combination of text, timelines, pictures, animations, and videos. Alpha and beta testing of the digital platform was conducted, and content-related improvements were made. A readability analysis showed reading ease of 40.1 of 100, meaning that it should be easily understood by 15–16 year-olds. ConclusionInvolving representatives of future users in creating this mHealth solution using PD demonstrates the benefits of creating a solution that aligns with users’ needs. Practice implicationsThe mHealth solution is now ready for implementation and large-scale evaluation in phase three of the overall PD study. An mHealth usability questionnaire will be employed to assess usability by future patients with surgically or non-surgically treated ankle fractures.