Designing an mHealth application to bridge health disparities in Latina breast cancer survivors: a community-supported design approach.
Francisco IacobelliRachel F AdlerDiana BuitragoJoanna BuscemiMarya E CordenAlejandra Perez-TamayoFrank J PenedoMelinda RodriguezBetina R YanezPublished in: Design for health (Abingdon, England) (2018)
Latina breast cancer patients in the USA report significantly worse cancer-related symptom burden and health-related quality of life than non-Hispanic whites. However, health literacy (e.g. knowledge about cancer, coping skills and communication) has been found to improve quality of life. In this paper, we present a case study of the methodology used to design Mi Guía (My Guide), a mobile application that aims to improve symptom burden and health-related quality of life among Hispanic women who have completed active treatment for breast cancer by increasing their health literacy. We developed a community-supported approach to building the application, which involved: (1) eliciting feedback from community leaders such as support group organizers and facilitators who are bilingual in Spanish and English, prioritize patients' preferences and best interests and have a unique knowledge of the women and their needs;(2) conducting a formal evaluation of design principles based on previous interaction design research and user responses;(3) incorporating feedback from potential future users. In this paper, we discuss our methodology, and the challenges and benefits of this approach. We believe that future studies that aim to develop mobile technologies for underserved populations may benefit from a community-supported approach to design.
Keyphrases
- healthcare
- mental health
- end stage renal disease
- polycystic ovary syndrome
- chronic kidney disease
- newly diagnosed
- public health
- health information
- type diabetes
- prognostic factors
- squamous cell carcinoma
- depressive symptoms
- current status
- risk factors
- patient reported
- insulin resistance
- climate change
- young adults
- patient reported outcomes
- health insurance
- cervical cancer screening