Co-Design, Development, and Evaluation of a Mobile Solution to Improve Medication Adherence in Cancer: Design Science Research Approach
BackgroundMedication nonadherence negatively impacts the health outcomes of people with cancer as well as health care costs. Digital technologies present opportunities to address this health issue. However, there is limited evidence on how to develop digital interventions tha...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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JMIR Publications
2024-04-01
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| Series: | JMIR Cancer |
| Online Access: | https://cancer.jmir.org/2024/1/e46979 |
| _version_ | 1797224725646147584 |
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| author | Thu Ha Dang Nilmini Wickramasinghe Abdur Rahim Mohammad Forkan Prem Prakash Jayaraman Kate Burbury Clare O’Callaghan Ashley Whitechurch Penelope Schofield |
| author_facet | Thu Ha Dang Nilmini Wickramasinghe Abdur Rahim Mohammad Forkan Prem Prakash Jayaraman Kate Burbury Clare O’Callaghan Ashley Whitechurch Penelope Schofield |
| author_sort | Thu Ha Dang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
BackgroundMedication nonadherence negatively impacts the health outcomes of people with cancer as well as health care costs. Digital technologies present opportunities to address this health issue. However, there is limited evidence on how to develop digital interventions that meet the needs of people with cancer, are perceived as useful, and are potentially effective in improving medication adherence.
ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to co-design, develop, and preliminarily evaluate an innovative mobile health solution called Safety and Adherence to Medication and Self-Care Advice in Oncology (SAMSON) to improve medication adherence among people with cancer.
MethodsUsing the 4 cycles and 6 processes of design science research methodology, we co-designed and developed a medication adherence solution for people with cancer. First, we conducted a literature review on medication adherence in cancer and a systematic review of current interventions to address this issue. Behavioral science research was used to conceptualize the design features of SAMSON. Second, we conducted 2 design phases: prototype design and final feature design. Last, we conducted a mixed methods study on patients with hematological cancer over 6 weeks to evaluate the mobile solution.
ResultsThe developed mobile solution, consisting of a mobile app, a web portal, and a cloud-based database, includes 5 modules: medication reminder and acknowledgment, symptom assessment and management, reinforcement, patient profile, and reporting. The quantitative study (n=30) showed that SAMSON was easy to use (21/27, 78%). The app was engaging (18/27, 67%), informative, increased user interactions, and well organized (19/27, 70%). Most of the participants (21/27, 78%) commented that SAMSON’s activities could help to improve their adherence to cancer treatments, and more than half of them (17/27, 63%) would recommend the app to their peers. The qualitative study (n=25) revealed that SAMSON was perceived as helpful in terms of reminding, supporting, and informing patients. Possible barriers to using SAMSON include the app glitches and users’ technical inexperience. Further needs to refine the solution were also identified. Technical improvements and design enhancements will be incorporated into the subsequent iteration.
ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the successful application of behavioral science research and design science research methodology to design and develop a mobile solution for patients with cancer to be more adherent. The study also highlights the importance of applying rigorous methodologies in developing effective and patient-centered digital intervention solutions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T13:57:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3a1c4d7cb6364a10b5acaaf1569f0cb7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2369-1999 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T13:57:41Z |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JMIR Cancer |
| spelling | doaj.art-3a1c4d7cb6364a10b5acaaf1569f0cb72024-04-03T16:30:37ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Cancer2369-19992024-04-0110e4697910.2196/46979Co-Design, Development, and Evaluation of a Mobile Solution to Improve Medication Adherence in Cancer: Design Science Research ApproachThu Ha Danghttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9105-6920Nilmini Wickramasinghehttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-1314-8843Abdur Rahim Mohammad Forkanhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-0237-1705Prem Prakash Jayaramanhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-4500-3443Kate Burburyhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-6710-681XClare O’Callaghanhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-3180-2781Ashley Whitechurchhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-1635-5562Penelope Schofieldhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9495-9543 BackgroundMedication nonadherence negatively impacts the health outcomes of people with cancer as well as health care costs. Digital technologies present opportunities to address this health issue. However, there is limited evidence on how to develop digital interventions that meet the needs of people with cancer, are perceived as useful, and are potentially effective in improving medication adherence. ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to co-design, develop, and preliminarily evaluate an innovative mobile health solution called Safety and Adherence to Medication and Self-Care Advice in Oncology (SAMSON) to improve medication adherence among people with cancer. MethodsUsing the 4 cycles and 6 processes of design science research methodology, we co-designed and developed a medication adherence solution for people with cancer. First, we conducted a literature review on medication adherence in cancer and a systematic review of current interventions to address this issue. Behavioral science research was used to conceptualize the design features of SAMSON. Second, we conducted 2 design phases: prototype design and final feature design. Last, we conducted a mixed methods study on patients with hematological cancer over 6 weeks to evaluate the mobile solution. ResultsThe developed mobile solution, consisting of a mobile app, a web portal, and a cloud-based database, includes 5 modules: medication reminder and acknowledgment, symptom assessment and management, reinforcement, patient profile, and reporting. The quantitative study (n=30) showed that SAMSON was easy to use (21/27, 78%). The app was engaging (18/27, 67%), informative, increased user interactions, and well organized (19/27, 70%). Most of the participants (21/27, 78%) commented that SAMSON’s activities could help to improve their adherence to cancer treatments, and more than half of them (17/27, 63%) would recommend the app to their peers. The qualitative study (n=25) revealed that SAMSON was perceived as helpful in terms of reminding, supporting, and informing patients. Possible barriers to using SAMSON include the app glitches and users’ technical inexperience. Further needs to refine the solution were also identified. Technical improvements and design enhancements will be incorporated into the subsequent iteration. ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the successful application of behavioral science research and design science research methodology to design and develop a mobile solution for patients with cancer to be more adherent. The study also highlights the importance of applying rigorous methodologies in developing effective and patient-centered digital intervention solutions.https://cancer.jmir.org/2024/1/e46979 |
| spellingShingle | Thu Ha Dang Nilmini Wickramasinghe Abdur Rahim Mohammad Forkan Prem Prakash Jayaraman Kate Burbury Clare O’Callaghan Ashley Whitechurch Penelope Schofield Co-Design, Development, and Evaluation of a Mobile Solution to Improve Medication Adherence in Cancer: Design Science Research Approach JMIR Cancer |
| title | Co-Design, Development, and Evaluation of a Mobile Solution to Improve Medication Adherence in Cancer: Design Science Research Approach |
| title_full | Co-Design, Development, and Evaluation of a Mobile Solution to Improve Medication Adherence in Cancer: Design Science Research Approach |
| title_fullStr | Co-Design, Development, and Evaluation of a Mobile Solution to Improve Medication Adherence in Cancer: Design Science Research Approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | Co-Design, Development, and Evaluation of a Mobile Solution to Improve Medication Adherence in Cancer: Design Science Research Approach |
| title_short | Co-Design, Development, and Evaluation of a Mobile Solution to Improve Medication Adherence in Cancer: Design Science Research Approach |
| title_sort | co design development and evaluation of a mobile solution to improve medication adherence in cancer design science research approach |
| url | https://cancer.jmir.org/2024/1/e46979 |
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