The design of a user-centred m-health application for caregivers of children undergoing ORL surgery

Abstract

Abstract Background In the context of common surgical procedures in pediatric otorhinolaryngology (ORL) patients, providing for education to families for hospitalization, surgery, and postoperative home management has been shown to improve peri-operative outcomes. In this regard, the use of Mobile Health Applications (MHA) is increasing. However, for these tools to be needs-appropriate and effective, their development requires a user-centred approach. Methods Our study aimed to explore the informational needs and preferences - in terms of features and functionalities - of health care providers and ORL patients’ caregivers (end-users) to inform the development of an MHA supporting ORL peri-operative process effectively. The study was conducted at a 136-bed maternal and child health hospital in Trieste. A user-centred participatory study design was employed, and the methodology steps were informed by the 3 cycles of the Information System Research Framework (Schnall et al., 2016). Results The Relevance cycle was performed to better understand the environment as well as end users’ (64 participants) informational needs and desired features for the MHA. Five critical information/education moments of the ORL perioperative period were identified. In the Rigour cycle a literature review was performed to identify further key topics relevant to understanding ORL end-users’ needs and relevant features for the MHA. In the Design cycle the final contents were defined to be displayed on the MHA spread across the 5 identified moments. A randomized controlled trial will then be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the MHA compared to standard care. Conclusions Triangulation of data sources collected by experts, ORL patients’ caregivers, and healthcare professionals ensured the rigour of the methodology adopted in the study. Moreover, such a MHA user-centred developed MHA favours end-users positive health outcomes and organizational benefits of health services. Key messages