Abstract
Background
Heart failure (HF) is a chronic disease characterized by high mortality and healthcare expenditures. Digital health solutions, including mobile health applications (apps), offer opportunities to enhance patients' self-care and quality of life. This qualitative study aimed to explore expectations, experiences, and usage behaviour of HF-patients regarding a self-care app (DoctorME app).
Methods
Semi-structured interviews were conducted at 2-3 weeks (initial: n = 38), and 4-6 months (post: n = 45) of app use across four European countries. Most patients were male (initial: 84%; post: 78%), aged 60-69 years (initial and post: 29%), with mild HF symptoms. Interviews were transcribed, pseudonymised, and analysed using qualitative content analysis.
Results
Five key themes were identified: 1) expectations, 2) perceived usability and benefit, 3) usage behaviour and experiences, 4) self-care, and 5) social influences. Patients expected and valued continuous monitoring of vital signs and weight, early detection of deterioration, and quick feedback. The app was considered user-friendly, with most patients using it as recommended (eight times per month). Those reporting improved self-care attributed it to increased awareness and a sense of security. Patients with established self-care routines did not perceive any additional benefit. Patients' perceptions on the impact of healthcare professionals' and relatives opinions on app use were divided.
Conclusions
User-friendliness, continuous monitoring, rapid feedback, and e-learning modules are crucial for integrating self-care apps into daily HF care. While technical reliability and individualisation may enhance long-term use, most HF patients considered the app as a complement to, not a replacement for, professional healthcare guidance.
Heart failure (HF) is a chronic disease characterized by high mortality and healthcare expenditures. Digital health solutions, including mobile health applications (apps), offer opportunities to enhance patients' self-care and quality of life. This qualitative study aimed to explore expectations, experiences, and usage behaviour of HF-patients regarding a self-care app (DoctorME app).
Methods
Semi-structured interviews were conducted at 2-3 weeks (initial: n = 38), and 4-6 months (post: n = 45) of app use across four European countries. Most patients were male (initial: 84%; post: 78%), aged 60-69 years (initial and post: 29%), with mild HF symptoms. Interviews were transcribed, pseudonymised, and analysed using qualitative content analysis.
Results
Five key themes were identified: 1) expectations, 2) perceived usability and benefit, 3) usage behaviour and experiences, 4) self-care, and 5) social influences. Patients expected and valued continuous monitoring of vital signs and weight, early detection of deterioration, and quick feedback. The app was considered user-friendly, with most patients using it as recommended (eight times per month). Those reporting improved self-care attributed it to increased awareness and a sense of security. Patients with established self-care routines did not perceive any additional benefit. Patients' perceptions on the impact of healthcare professionals' and relatives opinions on app use were divided.
Conclusions
User-friendliness, continuous monitoring, rapid feedback, and e-learning modules are crucial for integrating self-care apps into daily HF care. While technical reliability and individualisation may enhance long-term use, most HF patients considered the app as a complement to, not a replacement for, professional healthcare guidance.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-11 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Digital Health |
| Volume | 10 |
| Early online date | 20 Nov 2024 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published online - 20 Nov 2024 |
Bibliographical note
© The Author(s) 2024.Data Access Statement
The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author (AN)upon reasonable request. Signing a data use/sharing agreement will be necessary, and data security regulations both in the four European countries (DE, IRL, NL, UK) and in the country of the investigator who proposes to use the data must be complied with. The data is not publicly available as some of the information could compromise research participant privacy/consent.Keywords
- Heart failure
- mobile applications
- decision support systems
- telemedicine
- self-care
- usage behaviour
- patient acceptance of health care
