Background Evidence has shown that breast cancer self-management support from mobile health (mHealth) apps can improve the quality of life of survivors. Although many breast cancer self-management support apps exist, few papers have documented the procedure for the development of a user-friendly app from the patient’s perspective. Objective This study aimed to investigate the information needs of Taiwanese women with breast cancer to inform the development of a self-management support mHealth app. Methods A 5-step design thinking approach, comprising empathy, define, ideate, prototype, and test steps, was used in the focus groups and individual interviews conducted to collect information on the requirements and expectations of Taiwanese women with breast cancer with respect to the app. A thematic analysis was used to identify information needs. Results A total of 8 major themes including treatment, physical activity, diet, emotional support, health records, social resources, experience sharing, and expert consultation were identified. Minor themes included the desire to use the app under professional supervision and a trustworthy app manager to ensure the credibility of information. Conclusions The strengths of the design thinking approach were user-centered design and cultural sensitivity. The results retrieved from each step contributed to the development of the app and reduction of the gap between end users and developers. An mHealth app that addresses these 8 main themes can facilitate disease self-management for Taiwanese women with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND Evidence has shown that breast cancer self-management support from mobile health (mHealth) apps can improve the quality of life of survivors. Although many breast cancer self-management support apps exist, few papers have documented the procedure for the development of a user-friendly app from the patient’s perspective. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the information needs of Taiwanese women with breast cancer to inform the development of a self-management support mHealth app. METHODS A 5-step design thinking approach, comprising empathy, define, ideate, prototype, and test steps, was used in the focus groups and individual interviews conducted to collect information on the requirements and expectations of Taiwanese women with breast cancer with respect to the app. A thematic analysis was used to identify information needs. RESULTS A total of 8 major themes including treatment, physical activity, diet, emotional support, health records, social resources, experience sharing, and expert consultation were identified. Minor themes included the desire to use the app under professional supervision and a trustworthy app manager to ensure the credibility of information. CONCLUSIONS The strengths of the design thinking approach were user-centered design and cultural sensitivity. The results retrieved from each step contributed to the development of the app and reduction of the gap between end users and developers. An mHealth app that addresses these 8 main themes can facilitate disease self-management for Taiwanese women with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND Breast cancer has a high incidence rate among women in Taiwan and worldwide. Advanced surgery and medical therapies have improved survival rates. Today, smartphones are popular and can be used to develop ubiquitous technology for disease self-management and to maintain patients’ quality of life. In Taiwan, a mobile health self-management support app with eight main features was developed to address breast cancer women’s information needs based on prior research using a design thinking approach. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to pilot test Taiwan breast cancer women’s acceptance of the app. METHODS An instrument with confirmed reliability and validity based on the modified technology acceptance model for mobile services and aesthetics preference of interface icons was used. Women with breast cancer were recruited to participate in the pilot test workshop and then answer survey questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient method was used to analyze the data. RESULTS A total of 45 women participated the study. They were mostly aged 41-50(40%, 18/45), bachelor’s degree or equivalent (54.4%, 29/45), married (66.7%, 30/45), stage II breast cancer (37.8%, 17/45), had completed treatment (55.6%, 25/45) and received surgical treatment (93.3%, 42/45). The highest mean scores of user acceptance factors rated on the 5-point Likert scale was perceived ease of use (4.14, SD=0.42), followed by actual use (4.12, SD=0.57), perceived value (4.07, SD=0.62), user satisfaction (4.01, SD=0.51), intention to use (3.89, SD=0.58), and the lowest mean score was trust (3.89, SD=0.58). The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient indicated positive associations between each factor and statistically significant correlations (p value <0.05). Seven of eight interface feature icons in original app were favored over alternative icon options. CONCLUSIONS This study developed a smartphone app to predict Taiwan breast cancer women’s acceptance of mobile health technology for supporting disease self-management. The results suggest that patients positively accepted the app and would like it to be available in the future. However, data security and individual privacy protection features should be enhanced to increase users’ trust. In addition, the design of most interface icons was accepted by the participants which is consistent with their perceived ease of use of the app.