Measuring Mobile Phone Application Usability for Anticoagulation from the Perspective of Patients, Caregivers, and Healthcare Professionals

Shih-Wei Wang, Chun-Chi Chiou, Chien-Hao Su, Cheng-Chih Wu, Shu-Chen Tsai, Tsu-Kung Lin and Chien-Ning Hsu
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Shih-Wei Wang: Department of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
Chun-Chi Chiou: Department of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
Chien-Hao Su: Department of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
Cheng-Chih Wu: Department of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
Shu-Chen Tsai: Department of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
Tsu-Kung Lin: Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
Chien-Ning Hsu: Department of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 16, 1-13

Abstract: Oral anticoagulants (OAC) are recommended for preventing stroke and systemic embolism in atrial fibrillation. Proper use is imperative for maximizing anticoagulation therapy’s effectiveness and safety. In preparation for the implementation of a smartphone-based SmartMed app (application) aiming to promote patient self-management, medication adherence, and data collection for patients on anticoagulation therapy, its usability assessment can ensure the value of OAC app development and adoption. We evaluated the SmartMed app’s usability using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and the app-specific domain of the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) for its perceived impact on taking OAC regularly. We recruited 25 OAC users and their home caregivers and 59 healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, nurses, and cardiac surgeons from one medical center and one regional hospital in Taiwan. All participants ( n = 84) thought the SmartMed app was useful, with mean SUS and MARS scores of 81.49 (±14.42) and 4.65 (±0.49), respectively. Usability evaluation revealed that fewer experiences with smartphone apps and different healthcare professionals (pharmacists versus nurses or cardiac surgeons) were associated with lower SUS scores and perceived impact. Throughout the evaluation process, the SmartMed app’s design was considered helpful from multiple stakeholders’ perspectives. Further ongoing mobile technology supports are necessary to establish the SmartMed app’s effectiveness.

Keywords: oral anticoagulants; mobile health technologies; eHealth; usability; health promotion; self-management; medication adherence; disease management; health professionals; patient (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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