App Features Research Articles

Investigating Individuals' Preferences in Determining the Functions of Smartphone Apps for Fighting Pandemics: Best-Worst Scaling Survey Study.

Smartphone apps have been beneficial in controlling and preventing the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is a gap in research surrounding the importance of smartphone app functions from a user's perspective. Although the insights and opinions of different stakeholders, such as policymakers and medical professionals, can influence the success of a public health policy, any strategy will face difficulty in achieving the expected effect if it is not based on a method that users can accept. This study aimed to assess the importance of a hypothetical smartphone app's functions for managing health during a pandemic based on the perspective of user preferences. A cross-sectional and web-based survey using the best-worst scaling (BWS) method was used to investigate the general population's preferences for important smartphone app functions. Participants were recruited from a professional surveying company's web-based surveying panel. The attributes of the BWS questionnaire were developed based on a robust process, including literature review, interviews, and expert discussion. A balanced incomplete block design was used to construct the choice task to ensure the effectiveness of the research design. Count analysis, conditional logit model analysis, and mixed logit analysis were used to estimate preference heterogeneity among respondents. The responses of 2153 participants were eligible for analysis. Nearly 55% (1192/2153) were female, and the mean age was 31.4 years. Most participants (1765/2153, 81.9%) had completed tertiary or higher education, and approximately 70% (1523/2153) were urban residents. The 3 most vital functions according to their selection were "surveillance and monitoring of infected cases," "quick self-screening," and "early detection of infected cases." The mixed logit regression model identified significant heterogeneity in preferences among respondents, and stratified analysis showed that some heterogeneities varied in respondents by demographics and COVID-19-related characteristics. Participants who preferred to use the app were more likely to assign a high weight to the preventive functions than those who did not prefer to use it. Conversely, participants who showed lower willingness to use the app tended to indicate a higher preference for supportive functions than those who preferred to use it. This study ranks the importance of smartphone app features that provide health care services during a pandemic based on the general population's preferences in China. It provides empirical evidence for decision-makers to develop eHealth policies and strategies that address future public health crises from a person-centered care perspective. Continued use of apps and smart investment in digital health can help improve health outcomes and reduce the burden of disease on individuals and communities.

Patients' Experiences Using a Mobile Health App for Self-Care of Heart Failure in a Real-World Setting: Qualitative Analysis.

Publicly available patient-focused mobile health (mHealth) apps are being increasingly integrated into routine heart failure (HF)-related self-care. However, there is a dearth of research on patients' experiences using mHealth apps for self-care in real-world settings. The purpose of this study was to explore patients' experiences using a commercially available mHealth app, OnTrack to Health, for HF self-care in a real-world setting. Patient satisfaction, measured with a 5-point Likert scale, and an open-ended survey were used to gather data from 23 patients with HF who were provided the OnTrack to Health app as a part of routine HF management. A content analysis of patients' responses was conducted with the qualitative software Atlas.ti (version 8; ATLAS.ti Scientific Software Development GmbH). Patients (median age 64, IQR 57-71 years; 17/23, 74% male) used OnTrack to Health for a median 164 (IQR 51-640) days before the survey. All patients reported excellent experiences related to app use and would recommend the app to other patients with HF. Five themes emerged from the responses to the open-ended questions: (1) features that enhanced self-care of HF (medication tracker, graphic performance feedback and automated alerts, secured messaging features, and HF self-care education); (2) perceived benefits (provided assurance of safety, improved HF self-care, and decreased hospitalization rates); (3) challenges with using apps for self-care (giving up previous self-care strategies); (4) facilitators (perceived ease of use and availability of technical support); and (5) suggested improvements (streamlining data entry, integration of apps with an electronic medical record, and personalization of app features). Patients were satisfied with using OnTrack to Health for self-care. They perceived the features of the app as valuable tools for improving self-care ability and decreasing hospitalization rates. The development of apps in collaboration with end users is essential to ensure high-quality patient experiences related to app use for self-care.

ANALYSIS OF EFFECTS OF APP PERMISSION CONCERNS ON INTENTIONS TO DISCLOSE PERSONAL INFORMATION: A CASE STUDY OF MONEY TRANSFER SERVICE APP

Data growth increased alongside the rise of mobile app users in financial services. In Indonesia, the number of financial services application downloads reached 24 million by the end of 2022, with a 28.72 percent increase in transactions. However, this growth also brings issues regarding the potential misuse of personal information, although according to the Personal Data Protection Act (UU PDP) in Indonesia, personal data is protected and kept confidential when accessed by another party. This prompts users to be more cautious in disclosing personal information. On the other hand, users are faced with risks to personal data that can be accessed by service providers, one of which is through app permissions. This research focuses on the influence of App Permission Concerns on users' intentions to disclose their personal information, with a case study of a money transfer services app in Indonesia, namely Flip, that received numerous negative reviews about users' data privacy concerns, especially when verifying using an identity card. The study uses a quantitative approach with PLS-SEM for data analysis. Convenience sampling was used, and data were collected via a questionnaire distributed through Google Forms on social media from May 9 to May 21, 2023 and a total of 224 respondents were obtained. The results of this study indicate that App Permission Concerns have a significant influence on Privacy Fatigue, Privacy Awareness, Privacy Concern and Trust. Trust significantly influences Intention to Disclose. This research is expected to contribute to future studies on app permissions and mobile app feature development.

Opportunities for the Implementation of a Digital Mental Health Assessment Tool in the United Kingdom: Exploratory Survey Study.

Every year, one-fourth of the people in the United Kingdom experience diagnosable mental health concerns, yet only a proportion receive a timely diagnosis and treatment. With novel developments in digital technologies, the potential to increase access to mental health assessments and triage is promising. This study aimed to investigate the current state of mental health provision in the United Kingdom and understand the utility of, and interest in, digital mental health technologies. A web-based survey was generated using Qualtrics XM. Participants were recruited via social media. Data were explored using descriptive statistics. The majority of the respondents (555/618, 89.8%) had discussed their mental health with a general practitioner. More than three-fourths (503/618, 81.4%) of the respondents had been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, with the most common diagnoses being depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Diagnostic waiting times from first contact with a health care professional varied by diagnosis. Neurodevelopmental disorders (30/56, 54%), bipolar disorder (25/52, 48%), and personality disorders (48/101, 47.5%) had the longest waiting times, with almost half (103/209, 49.3%) of these diagnoses taking >6 months. Participants stated that waiting times resulted in symptoms worsening (262/353, 74.2%), lower quality of life (166/353, 47%), and the necessity to seek emergency care (109/353, 30.9%). Of the 618 participants, 386 (62.5%) stated that they felt that their mental health symptoms were not always taken seriously by their health care provider and 297 (48.1%) were not given any psychoeducational information. The majority of the respondents (416/595, 77.5%) did not have the chance to discuss mental health support and treatment options. Critically, 16.1% (96/595) did not find any treatment or support provided at all helpful, with 63% (48/76) having discontinued treatment with no effective alternatives. Furthermore, 88.3% (545/617) of the respondents) had sought help on the web regarding mental health symptoms, and 44.4% (272/612) had used a web application or smartphone app for their mental health. Psychoeducation (364/596, 61.1%), referral to a health care professional (332/596, 55.7%), and symptom monitoring (314/596, 52.7%) were the most desired app features. Only 6.8% (40/590) of the participants said that they would not be interested in using a mental health assessment app. Respondents were the most interested to receive an overall severity score of their mental health symptoms (441/546, 80.8%) and an indication of whether they should seek mental health support (454/546, 83.2%). Key gaps in current UK mental health care provision are highlighted. Assessment and treatment waiting times together with a lack of information regarding symptoms and treatment options translated into poor care experiences. The participants' responses provide proof-of-concept support for the development of a digital mental health assessment app and valuable recommendations regarding desirable app features.

The Urban Belonging Photo App: A toolkit for studying place attachments with digital and participatory methods

This paper introduces the open-source Urban Belonging (UB) toolkit, designed to study place attachments through a combined digital, visual and participatory methodology that foregrounds lived experience. The core of the toolkit is the photovoice UB App, which prompts participants to document urban experiences as digital data by taking pictures of the city, annotating them, and reacting to others’ photos. The toolkit also includes an API interface and a set of scripts for converting data into visualizations and elicitation devices. The paper first describes how the app’s design specifications were co-created in a process that brought in voices from different research fields, planners from Gehl Architects, six marginalized communities, and citizen engagement professionals. Their inputs shaped decisions about what data collection the app makes possible, and how it mitigates issues of privacy and visual and spatial literacy to make the app as inclusive as possible. We document how design criteria were translated into app features, and we demonstrate how this opens new empirical opportunities for community engagement through examples of its use in the Urban Belonging project in Copenhagen. While the focus on photo capture animates participants to document experiences in a personal and situated way, metadata such as location and sentiment invites for quali-quantitative analysis of both macro trends and local contexts of people’s experiences. Further, the granularity of data makes both a demographic and post-demographic analysis possible, providing empirical ground for exploring what people have in common in what they photograph and where they walk. And, by inviting participants to react to others’ photos, the app offers a heterogeneous empirical ground, showing us how people see the city differently. We end the paper by discussing remaining challenges in the tool and provide a short guide for using it.

Chronic kidney disease and mobile health: quality of renal nutritional APPs in Italy.

Patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) must adhere to a nutritional therapy characterized by a restrictive dietary scheme. Nutritional self-care can be enhanced through the use of nutritional apps. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the characteristics of specific nutritional apps for chronic renal failure available in Italy. A systematic search of mobile apps was conducted by two academic researchers in three Italian App stores: Google Play Store, Apple Store and Huawei AppGallery. Of the 1602 apps identified, 2 apps (Miku; MyFIR) were evaluated with the Italian version of a Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS-ITA) by a multidisciplinary team of 20 professionals. The study found that the two selected apps, available in the Google Play Store and Apple Store, aim to increase well-being through the acquisition of knowledge and behavioral change; but none identify health goals that should be achieved. The strategies used by the two applications are: information, education, monitoring and cognitive-behavioral challenge. The technical analysis showed adequate protection of personal data but only the most downloaded app (Miku) provides the possibility to share content, to send reminders and to browse when offline. The main Italian app stores have two applications to monitor physical health and nutrition in patients with renal disease. Although these are free, easily accessible, navigable and valid in terms of health monitoring and information, greater availability of the offer would be desirable.

Assessing Technology Innovation of Mobile Health Apps for Medical Care Providers

In recent years, mobile health applications (mHealth apps) have created a new social context in the clinical diagnosis process based on technology innovation. To improve understanding of digital transformation in healthcare and determinants for its implementation, this article examines the available mHealth apps addressed to medical practitioners and explores these apps features’ trustworthiness, quality, and popularity. Based on the normalization process theory, we explain the process from the introduction of mHealth innovation in the clinical practice to the intention of professional engagement. We conduct content analysis of the apps’ descriptions, functions, and user reviews; measured available app features and performance metrics; and applied statistical analysis to understand features intercorrelations and users’ preferences. We observe moderate levels of reliability and quality in the existing mHealth apps, revealing margins for potential improvement. The mHealth app star rating, quality score, and downloads are all highly intercorrelated. The apps with more features score higher in quality, especially those with credible sources, feedback opportunities, and “how to use” instructions. App development from credible sources can increase their trustworthiness. Further, technological advances in these apps can greatly benefit health professionals’ everyday practice and, thus, healthcare for society. This article contributes to the information systems research by using social theories to reveal the importance of app features to the adoption of professional health applications and underline the sets of policies/practices that should apply in the app development process to strengthen clinical efficiency and effectiveness.

사용자 경험과 서비스 평가의 변화에 관한 연구

As Netflix usage has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic, users' experiences with the service have also increased. Therefore, this study aims to conduct topic modeling analysis based on Netflix review data to explore the changes in Netflix user experience and service before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected Netflix app review data from the Google Play Store using the Google Play Scraper library, and used topic modeling to examine keyword differences between app reviews before and after the pandemic. The analysis revealed four main topics: Netflix app features, Netflix content, Netflix service usage, and Netflix overall reviews. After the pandemic, when user experience increased, users tended to use more diverse and detailed keywords in their reviews. By using Netflix review data to analyze users' opinions, this study shows the changes in user experience of Netflix services before and after the pandemic, which can be used as a guide to strengthen competitiveness in the competitive OTT market.

Evaluation of in-service smartphone battery drainage profile for video calling feature in major apps

Video calling is one of the most energy-intensive features in apps requiring the simultaneous operation of the mobile camera, display screen, audio speaker, and internet services. This feature impacts a smartphone battery's runtime and lifetime. This paper is the first of its kind experimental study, which quantifies the operating profile (discharge current, temperature, and terminal voltage) of video call feature in multiple widely used social media apps, which include WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Zoom, Skype, WeChat, Google Hangouts, Imo and Viber. One smartphone each of Vivo and Motorola has been evaluated as the manufacturer-provided application programming interface (API) allowed real-time measurement of the operating profile. Results indicate that the video calling feature for Facebook Messenger and Imo is the most energy efficient. In contrast, Google Hangouts is up to 35% more energy-intensive for video calling than other apps. Measurements also show that Vivo's in-service battery temperature is lower than Motorola due to its efficient chipset. For instance, during active Google Hangouts operation for 1 h, Vivo temperature is limited to 46 °C, whereas Motorola temperature rises to 52 °C. Finally, the influence of app algorithms and codecs on energy efficiency is also discussed with regard to operating performance.

Post hoc security and privacy concerns in mobile apps: the moderating roles of mobile apps’ features and providers

PurposeThis study aims to argue that user’s continued use behavior is contingent upon two perceptions (i.e. the app and the provider). This study examines the moderating effects of user’s perceptions of apps and providers on the effects of security and privacy concerns and investigate whether assurance mechanisms decrease such concerns.Design/methodology/approachThis study conducts a scenario-based survey with 694 mobile cloud computing (MCC) app users to understand their perceptions and behaviors.FindingsThis study finds that while perceived value of data transfer to the cloud moderates the effects of security and privacy concerns on continued use behavior, trust only moderates the effect of privacy concerns. This study also finds that perceived effectiveness of security and privacy intervention impacts privacy concerns but does not decrease security concerns.Originality/valuePrior mobile app studies mainly focused on mobile apps and did not investigate the perceptions of app providers along with app features in the same study. Furthermore, International Organization for Standardization 27018 certification and privacy policy notification are the interventions that exhibit data assurance mechanisms. However, it is unknown whether these interventions are able to decrease users’ security and privacy concerns after using MCC apps.

A mobile health application for patients eligible for statin therapy: app development and qualitative feedback on design and usability

BackgroundCardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States (US). Despite the well-recognized efficacy of statins, statin discontinuation rates remain high. Statin intolerance is a major cause of statin discontinuation. To accurately diagnose statin intolerance, healthcare professionals must distinguish between statin-associated and non-statin-associated muscle symptoms, because many muscle symptoms can be unrelated to statin therapy. Patients’ feedback on muscle-related symptoms would help providers make decisions about statin treatment. Given the potential benefits and feasibility of existing apps for cardiovascular disease (CVD) management and the unmet need for an app specifically addressing statin intolerance management, the objectives of the study were 1) to describe the developmental process of a novel app designed for patients who are eligible for statin therapy to lower the risk of CVD; 2) to explore healthcare providers’ feedback of the app; and 3) to explore patients’ app usage experience.MethodsThe app was developed by an interdisciplinary team. Healthcare provider participants and patient participants were recruited in the study. Providers were interviewed to provide their feedback about the app based on screenshots of the app. Patients were interviewed after a 30 days of app usage.ResultsThe basic features of the app included symptom logging, vitals tracking, patient education, and push notifications. Overall, both parties provided positive feedback about the app. Areas to be improved mentioned by both parties included: the pain question asked in symptom tracking and the patient education section. Both parties agreed that it was essential to add the trend report of the logged symptoms.ConclusionsThe results indicated that providers were willing to use patient-reported data for disease management and perceived that the app had the potential to facilitate doctor-patient communication. Results also indicated that user engagement is the key to the success of app efficacy. To promote app engagement, app features should be tailored to individual patient’s needs and goals. In the future, after it is upgraded, we plan to test the app usability and feasibility among a more diverse sample.

There's an App for it: A systematic review of mobile apps providing information about abortion using a revised MARS scale.

Mobile applications (apps) are increasingly being used to access health-related information, but it may be challenging for consumers to identify accurate and reliable platforms. We conducted a systematic review of applications that provide information about abortion. We searched the iTunes and Google Play stores and queried professional networks to identify relevant apps. To evaluate the apps, we used the validated Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) and added relevant abortion-specific elements. Two reviewers independently rated each app, and we report mean scores on a 5-point scale across the domains of engagement, functionality, esthetics, and information. We also rated app characteristics (including target population and reach), and number of desirable abortion-specific features. We defined recommended apps as those that achieved a score of 4.0 or above for the question: "would you recommend this app to people who may benefit from it?" Our search initially yielded 282 apps and we identified two additional apps through professional mailing lists. Most were irrelevant or not abortion-specific. We excluded 37 apps that sought to discourage users from seeking abortion. Only 10 apps met inclusion criteria for this review. The Euki app had the highest overall score (4.0). Half of the apps achieved a score of 3.0 or greater. Most of the apps had few desirable design features. Some apps provided significant information but had poor functionality. Only four apps met criteria for being recommended: Euki, Safe Abortion by Hesperian, Ipas Mexico, and Marie Stopes Mexico. In conclusion, we found few apps that provide unbiased information about abortion, and their quality varied greatly. App developers and abortion experts should consider designing additional apps that are clinically accurate, unbiased and well-functioning. We registered this review in the PROSPERO database (Registration # CRD42020195802).

Evaluating popular STEM applications for young children

ABSTRACT Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) has received widespread attention worldwide and technology companies designed educational applications (apps) focusing on STEM. Young children have access to tablets and smartphones and they engage with a variety of apps every day. Prior research showed that young children learn from educational apps when they are used intentionally. However, children’s caregivers may have limited information on finding educational apps and rely on the ratings on the digital app markets before downloading apps for their children. We evaluated the educational content and developmental appropriateness of 30 popular STEM applications in Turkey. The majority of the apps focused on science and math concepts, while engineering and technology concepts were often neglected. Most of the apps had higher scores on being bias-free and child-friendly but had lower scores on app features (sound quality, configuration ability, progress monitoring, and feedback) as well as providing social interaction opportunities. Most of the apps were available in English and the country’s local language was often unavailable. App designers should design apps that encourage children’s social interactions, include feedback and progress monitoring features for children and caregivers, and be available in the country's local language.

Smartphone Apps for Smoking Cessation: Systematic Framework for App Review and Analysis.

Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of preventable death, and identifying novel treatment approaches to promote smoking cessation is critical for improving public health. With the rise of digital health and mobile apps, these tools offer potential opportunities to address smoking cessation, yet the functionality of these apps and whether they offer scientifically based support for smoking cessation are unknown. The goal of this research was to use the American Psychiatric Association app evaluation model to evaluate the top-returned apps from Android and Apple app store platforms related to smoking cessation and investigate the common app features available for end users. We conducted a search of both Android and iOS app stores in July 2021 for apps related to the keywords "smoking," "tobacco," "smoke," and "cigarette" to evaluate apps for smoking cessation. Apps were screened for relevance, and trained raters identified and analyzed features, including accessibility (ie, cost), privacy, clinical foundation, and features of the apps, using a systematic framework of 105 objective questions from the American Psychiatric Association app evaluation model. All app rating data were deposited in mindapps, a publicly accessible database that is continuously updated every 6 months given the dynamic nature of apps available in the marketplace. We characterized apps available in July 2021 and November 2022. We initially identified 389 apps, excluded 161 due to irrelevance and nonfunctioning, and rated 228, including 152 available for Android platforms and 120 available for iOS platforms. Some of the top-returned apps (71/228, 31%) in 2021 were no longer functioning in 2022. Our analysis of rated apps revealed limitations in accessibility and features. While most apps (179/228, 78%) were free to download, over half had costs associated with in-app purchases or full use. Less than 65% (149/228) had a privacy policy addressing the data collected in the app. In terms of intervention features, more than 56% (128/228) of apps allowed the user to set and check in on goals, and more than 46% (106/228) of them provided psychoeducation, although few apps provided evidence-based support for smoking cessation, such as peer support or skill training, including mindfulness and deep breathing, and even fewer provided evidence-based interventions, such as acceptance and commitment therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy. Only 12 apps in 2021 and 11 in 2022 had published studies supporting the feasibility or efficacy for smoking cessation. Numerous smoking cessation apps were identified, but analysis revealed limitations, including high rates of irrelevant and nonfunctioning apps, high rates of turnover, and few apps providing evidence-based support for smoking cessation. Thus, it may be challenging for consumers to identify relevant, evidence-based apps to support smoking cessation in the app store, and a comprehensive evaluation system of mental health apps is critically important.

Exploring the relevance of a psychology-based resilience app (JoyPop™) for Indigenous youth

BackgroundDespite facing challenges to mental wellness from ongoing multifold trauma, Indigenous youth continue to galvanize their resilience. One pathway undertaken is embracing technology. The JoyPop™ youth resilience mobile application (app) was invited by Six Nations of the Grand River (SN) leadership to consider its use with their reserve youth. ObjectiveThis study explored the feasibility of JoyPop™ research from the SN community adult perspective for appropriateness and relevance to SN youth, as a precursor to a user-experience study with community youth. MethodsSemi-structured, online interviews with 19 adult community members (26 % male) about JoyPop™ were conducted with nominated stakeholders from SN. Based on a standard presentation of the app, comments were solicited about app features, design, and relevance to Haudenosaunee culture. Interviews were transcribed, coded in a double-blind fashion, and analyzed for themes. ResultsMost offered positive feedback, with some level of support for each feature of JoyPop™. Themes were identified (Need for Indigenous Design, Incorporation of Indigenous Culture, Appreciation of Ease, Flexibility and Personalization), stemming from comments of appraisal and suggestions for adaptations (e.g., incorporating more cultural elements, localized resources, simplification of app). ConclusionsThe JoyPop™ app was viewed as positive and relevant, based on feedback from adults within SN. Adaptations were identified by adults to better fit SN youth needs, and research with SN youth is pending before implementation of adaptations. Research with other communities is encouraged to expand the reach of technology interventions, to holistically support Indigenous youth mental health in a culturally relevant way.

ECRIMO, an app to train first graders' spelling: Effectiveness and comparison between different designs

The present study assessed the effectiveness of the ECRIMO educational application designed to build first‐grade level spelling skills. We tested whether using the app to teach spelling would be as effective as providing the same training using traditional paper exercises. The effect of integrating gamification into mobile learning apps, which has been little studied in the context of young children, is also investigated. A pretest/training/posttest design was implemented with 311 first‐graders divided in four groups: no training, paper training, the ECRIMO app with gamification features, and the ECRIMO app without gamification. Spelling, reading and phonological awareness abilities was measured at both pretest and posttest. The training was conducted over a 7‐week period (4.40 hours in total). The experimental design allowed us to answer three questions: (1) Is spelling training effective regardless of the medium used? (2) Is training through the app as efficient as paper‐based training? (3) Does gamification impact students' learning performance? Mixed‐model analyses revealed (1) a positive effect on the training outcome depended on the initial spelling ability of participants, (2) a comparable efficiency between autonomous training using the ECRIMO app on tablets and the same training provided by teachers using paper exercises and (3) a marginally positive effect of gamification that is greater for the weakest students. The present study proposes an original and pertinent experimental design to test the relevance of educational applications. The design features of learning apps can impact students' learning differently depending on their initial level. A critical step should be verifying that using online apps for training is at least as effective as the same training using paper exercises. Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic A significant number of children experience difficulties in reading and spelling from the first years of learning. The use of new technologies to support classroom teaching is rapidly developing as a topic of interest for educational professionals and researchers. Evaluations of new technologies developed to enhance literacy skills suggest that many factors can vary their effectiveness. The effectiveness of a digital educational application can be enhanced or undermined by design choices, such as gamification. What this paper adds Spelling training with the app ECRIMO seems effective for first year students, especially those with the lowest and middle level. Comparable effects of both the tablet‐based and paper equivalent training on participants' spelling were found. The use of gamification in ECRIMO could be more suitable for the weakest students. Implications for practice and/or policy Educational technologies should be evidence‐based and should be evaluated with both a passive and an active control group. The design should be carefully considered and tested, as it may be advantageous for some students and disadvantageous for others. The use of digital technology in education can be beneficial for classroom practice, when the activity can be carried out in total autonomy, leaving the teacher available for a group of pupils with specific needs.

Mental Health Ingenuities and the Role of Computer Technology on Employees' Mental Health: A Systematic Review

Upholding and protecting sustainable competitive advantages is crucial to achieving firms'/enterprises' goals in today's overburdened, erratic, and fast-paced global work environment. Business stakeholders place a high value on actions that help employees achieve their own goals as well as those of the company in the modern, thriving business/work ecosystem. The general objective of this study was to examine the relationship between mental health ingenuities, computer technology and employee mental health. The specific objectives to examine the relationship between counselling, computer technology, and the mental health of employees, to determine the relationship between mental health promotion, computer technology and the mental health of employees as well as to assess the relationship between stress management, computer technology, and mental health of employees and to assess the relationship between work-life balance, computer technology, and mental health of employees. The anchor theory of the study was the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model with a focus on computer application in the management of mental health initiatives at the workplace. The study employed a systematic review of the literature. The findings from the systematic review depicted that internet-based cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) interventions have shown effectiveness in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression among employees, indicating their potential as a form of computer-based counselling. In addition, Web-based psychotherapy interventions have been effective in reducing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among employees who have experienced trauma. Moreover, it was found that Internet and computer-based self-help interventions have demonstrated positive outcomes in reducing depressive symptoms and improving coping skills among employees. Computer-based counselling, delivered through mobile apps or internet-based platforms, has shown promise in improving mental health outcomes, including reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among employees. It was recommended that HR managers should raise awareness among employees about the availability and benefits of work-stress management apps. They can conduct informational sessions, share success stories, and provide resources to educate employees about the app's features and how it can help in stress management. Organizations should also provide a range of technological resources, such as meditation or relaxation apps, stress-tracking apps, virtual wellness programs, or online counselling platforms. By offering a diverse selection, employees can choose the tools that resonate best with their personal preferences and needs.

A Mental Health and Well-Being Chatbot: User Event Log Analysis.

Conversational user interfaces, or chatbots, are becoming more popular in the realm of digital health and well-being. While many studies focus on measuring the cause or effect of a digital intervention on people's health and well-being (outcomes), there is a need to understand how users really engage and use a digital intervention in the real world. In this study, we examine the user logs of a mental well-being chatbot called ChatPal, which is based on the concept of positive psychology. The aim of this research is to analyze the log data from the chatbot to provide insight into usage patterns, the different types of users using clustering, and associations between the usage of the app's features. Log data from ChatPal was analyzed to explore usage. A number of user characteristics including user tenure, unique days, mood logs recorded, conversations accessed, and total number of interactions were used with k-means clustering to identify user archetypes. Association rule mining was used to explore links between conversations. ChatPal log data revealed 579 individuals older than 18 years used the app with most users being female (n=387, 67%). User interactions peaked around breakfast, lunchtime, and early evening. Clustering revealed 3 groups including "abandoning users" (n=473), "sporadic users" (n=93), and "frequent transient users" (n=13). Each cluster had distinct usage characteristics, and the features were significantly different (P<.001) across each group. While all conversations within the chatbot were accessed at least once by users, the "treat yourself like a friend" conversation was the most popular, which was accessed by 29% (n=168) of users. However, only 11.7% (n=68) of users repeated this exercise more than once. Analysis of transitions between conversations revealed strong links between "treat yourself like a friend," "soothing touch," and "thoughts diary" among others. Association rule mining confirmed these 3 conversations as having the strongest linkages and suggested other associations between the co-use of chatbot features. This study has provided insight into the types of people using the ChatPal chatbot, patterns of use, and associations between the usage of the app's features, which can be used to further develop the app by considering the features most accessed by users.

A novel mobile health application to support cancer surveillance needs of patients and families with cancer predisposition syndromes.

At least 5%-10% of malignancies occur secondary to an underlying cancer predisposition syndrome (CPS). For these families, cancer surveillance is recommended with the goal of identifying malignancy earlier, in a presumably more curable form. Surveillance protocols, including imaging studies, bloodwork, and procedures, can be complex and differ based on age, gender, and syndrome, which adversely affect adherence. Mobile health (mHealth) applications (apps) have been utilized in oncology and could help to facilitate adherence to cancer surveillance protocols. Applying a user-centered mobile app design approach, patients with a CPS and/or primary caregivers were interviewed to identify current methods for care management and barriers to compliance with recommended surveillance protocols. Broad themes from these interviews informed the design of the mobile app, HomeTown, which was subsequently evaluated by usability experts. The design was then converted into software code in phases, evaluated by patients and caregivers in an iterative fashion. User population growth and app usage data were assessed. Common themes identified included general distress surrounding surveillance protocol scheduling and results, difficulty remembering medical history, assembling a care team, and seeking resources for self-education. These themes were translated into specific functional app features, including push reminders, syndrome-specific surveillance recommendations, ability to annotate visits and results, storage of medical histories, and links to reliable educational resources. Families with CPS demonstrate a desire for mHealth tools to facilitate adherence to cancer surveillance protocols, reduce related distress, relay medical information, and provide educational resources. HomeTown may be a useful tool for engaging this patient population.

Increasing mobile health application usage among Generation Z members: evidence from the UTAUT model

PurposeThe acceptance of mobile health (m-health) applications, especially those of a preventive nature, by individuals, is not well understood. Despite the benefits offered by m-health applications in improving and sustaining health and well-being through various avenues, widespread adoption is yet to be seen. Within this context, this study aims to reveal the enabling factors and barriers that influence the use of m-health applications among Generation Z (Gen-Z).Design/methodology/approachThe Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) was extended with e-health literacy, trust and enjoyment constructs. Data from a survey study on 312 Gen-Z members were analysed via structural equation modelling, shedding light on the reasons why new generations adopt m-health apps.FindingsThe findings indicate that social influence and enjoyment are the most significant factors influencing the use of m-health apps. The significant impact of performance and effort expectancy on intentions was also confirmed by the results. Moreover, privacy risk was identified as a barrier to adoption. The results also indicated that the strong influence of trust on privacy risk can be used to offset those privacy concerns.Practical implicationsThe findings highlight that hedonic motivation, which is commonly overlooked in health settings, plays an important role in m-health app use. Thus, promoting mobile app features that provide enjoyment will be influential in attracting the younger generation.Originality/valueThe context of the study differs from the norm and focuses on a regional health tourism hub, Turkey, situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. UTAUT model is modified with relevant constructs, namely, enjoyment, e-health literacy and privacy risk, to better fit the m-health context.