Be Smart, Breathe Smart: The Results of Usability Testing in the Development of an Asthma Self-Management App for Youth

Theoretical Background and research questions/hypothesis:

The number of reported missed school days among children with asthma was 12.4 million in 2003, 10.4 million in 2008, and 13.8 million in 2013.[1] In the current media and communication environment, in which youth have more options than ever before about the types of content they can seek out and the channels through which they can seek it, developing communication interventions that address youth with asthma where they spend the majority of their time are crucial. Research has shown that digital applications that link to youth’s psychological needs for autonomy, understanding, and competence are an effective tool in asthma self-management.[2] Youth often lack motivation and initiative in managing their asthma and have a poor understanding of what asthma is. The transition from youths’ heavy reliance on caregivers in managing asthma to independence in asthma self-management is a slow and difficult process to navigate. A mobile app meets this audience’s need for easily accessible and engaging content that can provide timely educational resources to support improvements in asthma self-management. While formative research to guide app development is important, it is equally critical to test the functionality of the beta state to ensure its effectiveness with the target audience. We assessed the following: 1) functionality; 2) appearance; and 3) features of the application to ensure the application is effective among target audience end-users.

[1] https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/asthma_stats/missing_days.htm

[2] Peters, D., Davis, S., Calvo, R., Sawyer, S., Smith, L. and Foster, J. (2017). Young People’s Preferences for an Asthma Self-Management App Highlight Psychological Needs: A Participatory Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 19(4), p.e113.

Methods:

Usability testing measures the extent to which the app could be used by target audiences to achieve the specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction in this specified context. We will collect attitudinal and observational data to obtain insight into how users process information. In June 2019, we plan to conduct nine in-depth 60-minute usability interviews to test for clarity in the design, layout, and flow. We will collect attitudinal as well as observational data to ensure that both verbal and non-verbal reactions are processed by participants.

Results:

Results will be available in June 2019 and will be readily available for the conference. We anticipate the results will provide insight into the functionality of the app as well as its efficiency and effectiveness.

Conclusions: N/A – pending due to study in progress.

Implications for research and/or practice: The findings of this study will inform recommendations to improve upon and enhance the application for use among the intended target audience to facilitate self-management of their asthma.