Abstract
BackgroundThe school-age years, approximately ages 7 through 11, represent a natural transition when children begin assuming some responsibility for their asthma management. Previously, we designed a theoretically derived, tailored parent–child shared asthma management mobile health app prototype, Improving Asthma Care Together (IMPACT).ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to use human-centered design (HCD) to iteratively refine IMPACT to optimize user experience and incorporate evidence-based longitudinal engagement strategies.MethodsThis study used a mixed methods design from December 2019 to April 2021. Our app refinement used the HCD process of research, ideation, design, evaluation, and implementation, including 6 cycles of design and evaluation. The design and evaluation cycles focused on core app functionality, child engagement, and overall refinement. Evaluation with parent–child dyads entailed in-person and remote concept testing and usability testing sessions, after which rapid cycle thematic analyses identified key insights that informed future design refinement.ResultsTwelve parent–child dyads enrolled in at least one round of this study. Eight of the 12 child participants were male with a mean age of 9.9 (SD 1.6) years and all parent participants were female. Throughout evaluation cycles, dyads selected preferred app layouts, gamification concepts, and overall features with a final design prototype emerging for full-scale development and implementation.ConclusionsA theoretically derived, evidence-based shared asthma management app was co-designed with end users to address real-world pain points and priorities. An 8-week pilot study testing app feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy is forthcoming.
Highlights
Over 5 million children in the United States have asthma, making it the most common chronic condition of childhood [1]
A theoretically derived, evidence-based shared asthma management app was co-designed with end users to address real-world pain points and priorities
Childhood asthma exacerbations account for 767,000 emergency department visits, 74,000 hospitalizations, and 13.8 million missed school days https://pediatrics.jmir.org/2022/1/e34117
Summary
Over 5 million children in the United States have asthma, making it the most common chronic condition of childhood [1]. There is frequent disagreement between parents and children with respect to asthma symptom frequency and severity, asthma management practices, and overall level of control, with parents often reporting fewer symptoms, higher medication adherence, and better control than their children [9,10,11,12]. This disagreement may be contributing to an overestimation of childhood asthma control and subsequent undertreatment. We designed a theoretically derived, tailored parent–child shared asthma management mobile health app prototype, Improving Asthma Care Together (IMPACT)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
