‘Parentbot – A Digital healthcare Assistant (PDA)’: A mobile application-based perinatal intervention for parents: Development study

Chua, Joelle Yan Xin; Choolani, Mahesh; Chee, Cornelia; Yi, Hana; Chan, Yiong Huak; Lalor, Joan; Chong, Yap Seng; Shorey, Shefaly

doi:10.1016/j.pec.2023.107805

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…However, some resources specifically catered to experienced parents (eg, managing sibling rivalry and engaging older children to care for the newborn sibling). More details of the PDA can be found in the published development paper by Chua et al [38].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The anonymous and nonjudgmental nature of chatbots could also help to connect with individuals who may be hesitant to interact with their peers or health care professionals, even via a digital anonymous platform [37]. Therefore, a mobile app-based intervention with an in-built chatbot titled Parentbot-a Digital Healthcare Assistant (PDA) was developed and implemented to provide more efficient perinatal support to parents [38]. The PDA is a multicomponent mobile app-based intervention that provides parents with informational, psychological, and social support during pregnancy (>24 weeks of gestation) till the first month post partum.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Parents’ Perceptions of Their Parenting Journeys and a Mobile App Intervention (Parentbot—A Digital Healthcare Assistant): Qualitative Process Evaluation

Chua,

Choolani,

Chee

et al. 2024

J Med Internet Res

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Background Parents experience many challenges during the perinatal period. Mobile app–based interventions and chatbots show promise in delivering health care support for parents during the perinatal period. Objective This descriptive qualitative process evaluation study aims to explore the perinatal experiences of parents in Singapore, as well as examine the user experiences of the mobile app–based intervention with an in-built chatbot titled Parentbot—a Digital Healthcare Assistant (PDA). Methods A total of 20 heterosexual English-speaking parents were recruited via purposive sampling from a single tertiary hospital in Singapore. The parents (control group: 10/20, 50%; intervention group: 10/20, 50%) were also part of an ongoing randomized trial between November 2022 and August 2023 that aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the PDA in improving parenting outcomes. Semistructured one-to-one interviews were conducted via Zoom from February to June 2023. All interviews were conducted in English, audio recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was guided by the thematic analysis framework. The COREQ (Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research) checklist was used to guide the reporting of data. Results Three themes with 10 subthemes describing parents’ perceptions of their parenting journeys and their experiences with the PDA were identified. The main themes were (1) new babies, new troubles, and new wonders; (2) support system for the parents; and (3) reshaping perinatal support for future parents. Conclusions Overall, the PDA provided parents with informational, socioemotional, and psychological support and could be used to supplement the perinatal care provided for future parents. To optimize users’ experience with the PDA, the intervention could be equipped with a more sophisticated chatbot, equipped with more gamification features, and programmed to deliver personalized care to parents. Researchers and health care providers could also strive to promote more peer-to-peer interactions among users. The provision of continuous, holistic, and family-centered care by health care professionals could also be emphasized. Moreover, policy changes regarding maternity and paternity leaves, availability of infant care centers, and flexible work arrangements could be further explored to promote healthy work-family balance for parents.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%