Predictors of sustained use of mobile health applications: Content analysis of user perspectives from a fever management app

Abstract

Objectives Mobile health applications could be means of educating and changing behaviours of their users. Their features and qualities determine the sustainability of use. The FeverApp with two main features of information and documentation is a research-based app. In this observational cohort study, to evaluate the influential predictors of use, users’ feedback on the FeverApp, were analyzed. Methods Feedback is given using a structured questionnaire, four Likert items and two open questions regarding positive and negative impressions, available via app menu. Conventional content analysis (inductive approach) on the two open questions was performed. Comments were grouped into 12 codes. These codes were grouped hierarchically in an iterative process into nine subcategories and lastly into two main categories ‘format’ and ‘content’. Descriptive and quantitative analysis were performed. Results Out of 8243 users, 1804 of them answered the feedback questionnaire. The features of the app ( N = 344), followed by the information aspect ( N = 330) were most frequently mentioned. Documentation process ( N = 226), request for new features or improvement of the current ones ( N = 193), and functioning ( N = 132) were also highlighted in users’ feedback. App's ease of use, design and being informative were important for the users. The first impression of the app seems important as the majority of feedback were given during the first month of using the app. Conclusion In-app feedback function could highlight shortcomings and strengths of mobile health apps. Taking users’ feedback into consideration could increase the chance of sustained use. Besides ease of use and clear, likeable designs, users want apps that serve their needs while saving time.

FeverApp for Parents: A Multilingual and Socially Accountable Approach to Paediatric Fever Management in Germany

“…Results of the feasibility and interactions within the app, content analysis of user perspectives, and sociodemographic characteristics and interests of FeverApp Users have already been published [ 1 ]. After the first testing and iteration in October 2020, the study results show that a small percentage of parents, 6.6% of the 1592 registered mobile application users who used the information library and fever registry, had low education levels.…”

“…In paediatric care, acute febrile infections, viral or bacterial, are among the most common problems that bring parents to the paediatric outpatient clinic. Fever is also one of the most common reasons for off-hours calls [ 1 , 2 ]. Parents are anxious and concerned because there is a wide variety of opinions and approaches in society regarding the treatment of fever based on cultural background [ 3 , 4 ].…”