Developing a smartphone application to support social connectedness and wellbeing in young people with cystic fibrosis.
Adolescent
Australia
/ epidemiology
Cystic Fibrosis
/ epidemiology
Female
Humans
Internet Use
/ statistics & numerical data
Male
Mental Disorders
/ prevention & control
Mental Health
/ standards
Mobile Applications
/ standards
Psychosocial Intervention
/ instrumentation
Smartphone
Social Integration
Social Interaction
Social Isolation
/ psychology
Social Support
Adolescents
Cystic fibrosis
Mobile applications
Smartphone
Young people
Journal
Journal of cystic fibrosis : official journal of the European Cystic Fibrosis Society
ISSN: 1873-5010
Titre abrégé: J Cyst Fibros
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 101128966
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
03 2020
03 2020
Historique:
received:
03
10
2019
revised:
03
12
2019
accepted:
20
12
2019
pubmed:
10
1
2020
medline:
27
7
2021
entrez:
10
1
2020
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Young people with cystic fibrosis (CF) may be at increased risk of social isolation and mental illness. This study aimed to design and evaluate the usability and acceptability of a smartphone application (app) to support the social connectedness and wellbeing of young people living with CF. Young people with CF aged 12-17 years (N = 22) were recruited from two paediatric hospitals in Australia. Study participants tested the CF app for six weeks before responding to an online survey about the app's usability and acceptability. A subsample of participants (n = 20) discussed the app's strengths and weaknesses during 11 online group interviews. During the six-week testing period, 77% of participants used the app at least once a week and 82% accessed the app from a smartphone. Usability of the CF app was rated high. Most participants agreed the app was easy to use (86%) and felt comfortable using it (96%). Acceptability of the app was moderate. 77% of participants agreed they would recommend the app to others. Recommendations to improve the app's functionality and acceptability included locating the chatroom within the app rather than redirecting users to a web browser and allowing users to personalise images, wellness tips and videos. This study developed and tested a highly usable, and moderately acceptable, smartphone app to improve the psychosocial health of young people living with CF. Future research will test the efficacy of the CF app on users' social connectedness and wellbeing.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Young people with cystic fibrosis (CF) may be at increased risk of social isolation and mental illness. This study aimed to design and evaluate the usability and acceptability of a smartphone application (app) to support the social connectedness and wellbeing of young people living with CF.
METHODS
Young people with CF aged 12-17 years (N = 22) were recruited from two paediatric hospitals in Australia. Study participants tested the CF app for six weeks before responding to an online survey about the app's usability and acceptability. A subsample of participants (n = 20) discussed the app's strengths and weaknesses during 11 online group interviews.
RESULTS
During the six-week testing period, 77% of participants used the app at least once a week and 82% accessed the app from a smartphone. Usability of the CF app was rated high. Most participants agreed the app was easy to use (86%) and felt comfortable using it (96%). Acceptability of the app was moderate. 77% of participants agreed they would recommend the app to others. Recommendations to improve the app's functionality and acceptability included locating the chatroom within the app rather than redirecting users to a web browser and allowing users to personalise images, wellness tips and videos.
CONCLUSIONS
This study developed and tested a highly usable, and moderately acceptable, smartphone app to improve the psychosocial health of young people living with CF. Future research will test the efficacy of the CF app on users' social connectedness and wellbeing.
Identifiants
pubmed: 31917112
pii: S1569-1993(19)30991-9
doi: 10.1016/j.jcf.2019.12.011
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
277-283Commentaires et corrections
Type : CommentIn
Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.