A Two‐Phase Approach to Developing SNAP: an iPhone Application to Support Appointment Scheduling and Management for Women with a BRCA Mutation

Abstract

Professional organizations provide surveillance guidelines for BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA) carriers with intact breasts and/or ovaries to facilitate early cancer detection. However, literature indicates adherence to surveillance guidelines is inconsistent at best. Using the Messaging Model for Health Communication Campaigns framework, we undertook a two-phase formative research approach to develop an intervention to promote adherence to surveillance guidelines. Discussion groups identified preferred intervention format and function in phase I. Findings indicated carriers desired a phone application (app) to assist with surveillance management and appointment tracking. Thus, an iPhone app for carriers to track appointments based on published surveillance guidelines was developed. In phase II, we obtained feedback from BRCA carriers via a survey during a prototype demonstration at a regional conference. Participants in phase II wanted reminder capabilities and the ability to add and modify information fields. This feedback informed intervention modifications, resulting in the Scheduling Necessary Advised Procedures (SNAP) iPhone app currently being pilot tested by BRCA carriers throughout the USA.

Health professional and at‐risk BRCA young adult perspectives about information needs: What does Gen Y need to know?

“…An app or email alert system could feasibly by‐pass and streamline contact through an online referral process. For example, a US iPhone app has been made to improve adherence to surveillance guidelines (Cohen, Scherr, & Nixon, ; Scherr, Feuston, Nixon, & Cohen, ).…”

“…An app F I G U R E 1 Degree of helpfulness of resources currently used by 18-to 25year-old (n = 7 a ) and 26-to 40-year-old (n = 25) young adults ( a missing data for one participant) or email alert system could feasibly by-pass and streamline contact through an online referral process. For example, a US iPhone app has been made to improve adherence to surveillance guidelines Scherr, Feuston, Nixon, & Cohen, 2018).…”

Mobilizing Breast Cancer Prevention Research Through Smartphone Apps: A Systematic Review of the Literature

“…We identified three common themes for the use of mobile health apps in primary breast cancer prevention: knowledge and adherence to screening guidelines, the targeting of high-risk populations, and the incorporation of theoretical frameworks. Primary prevention studies focused on apps that increased breast cancer prevention knowledge and adherence to breast cancer guidelines and surveillance (77, 79, 80, 83–85). Six of the 9 studies used existing guidelines to inform their apps (77, 80, 81, 83, 85).…”

“…Primary prevention studies focused on apps that increased breast cancer prevention knowledge and adherence to breast cancer guidelines and surveillance (77, 79, 80, 83–85). Six of the 9 studies used existing guidelines to inform their apps (77, 80, 81, 83, 85). For example, in designing an app to help women reduce their risk of breast cancer through healthy behaviors, Coughlin et al (81) included evidence-based information provided by the National Cancer Institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Cancer Society.…”

“…The targeted population for these primary prevention studies was primarily women at high risk for breast cancer (77, 79, 80, 82, 83) including post-menopausal women with high Gail risk scores (82), BRCA mutation carriers (79, 80), and African American women, who experience greater breast cancer disparities (85). Some studies also targeted broader populations that engaged in behaviors associated with higher breast cancer risk, such as smoking (78) and night shift work (26).…”