Acceptability of an mHealth Family Self-management Intervention (myFAMI) for Pediatric Transplantation Families: Qualitative Focus (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND The 1800 children undergoing pediatric transplantation in 2021 comprise approximately 5% of annual solid organ transplants in the United States. Effective family self-management in the transition from hospital to home-based recovery promotes successful outcomes of transplantation. The use of mHealth to deliver self-management interventions is a strategy that can be used to support family self-management for transplant recipients and their families. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to evaluate the acceptability of a mHealth intervention (myFAMI) that combined use of a smartphone application with triggered nurse communication with family members of pediatric transplant recipients. METHODS Secondary analysis of qualitative data from family members who received the myFAMI intervention within a larger randomized controlled trial. Eligible participants used the app in the 30-day timeframe after discharge and participated in a 30-day post-discharge telephone interview. Content analysis was used to generate themes. RESULTS Four key themes were identified: 1) general acceptance, 2) positive interactions, 3) home management after hospital discharge, and 4) opportunities for improvement. CONCLUSIONS Acceptability of the intervention was high. Family members rated the smartphone application as easy to use. myFAMI allowed the opportunity for families to feel connected to and engage with the medical team while in their home environment. Family members valued and appreciated ongoing support and education specifically in this first 30-days after their child’s hospital discharge and many felt it contributed positively to the management of their child’s medical needs at home. Family members provided recommendations for future refinement of the app and some suggested that a longer follow-up period would be beneficial. The development and refinement of mHealth care delivery strategies hold potential for improving outcomes for solid organ transplant patients and their families and as a model to consider in other chronic illness populations. CLINICALTRIAL Not applicable