User-centred design of ChestCare: mHealth app for pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with COPD; a mixed-methods sequential approach

BACKGROUND: The increasing prevalence and burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), the challenges in implementing pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programs and the limited availability of alternatives and supportive programs to serve patients with COPD necessitate the development of pulmonary telerehabilitation (PTR) systems to provide patients with COPD with PR programs.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to design and develop the ChestCare mobile Health app using user-centred design (UCD) approach. Thus, it provided PTR for patients with COPD, enhancing their self-management of symptoms and improving their compliance with PR programs.

METHODS: In this mixed-methods sequential research, we deployed the UCD iterative design through the prototype app design and development sequence. The first phase was built based on the results of a previous needs assessment study and an analysis of related apps. This produced the initial mock-up, the foundation for the focus group discussions with physiotherapists and patients. Six physiotherapists with cardiorespiratory specialisation evaluated each app module and item of the latest mock-up using the content validity index (CVI) document. The I-CVI (S-CVI/Ave) and (S-CVI/UA) were computed. Qualitative and quantitative data were integrated, and decisions were made by comparing their results.

RESULTS: The UCD iterative design through sequential MMR has generated four mock-up app versions. The latest version identified 13 modules through 150 items validated by six experts using a CVI document. The I-CVI calculation of 145 items was 1, while 0.83 for the remaining items, was within accepted values. The S-CVI scored 99.4, indicating an overall validity of the ChestCare app as a PTR system for patients with COPD.

CONCLUSIONS: The development and validation of the ChestCare app resulted from conducting UCD iterative design and sequential MMR, which identified 13 functionalities, including symptom assessment, tracking lung volume, functional capacity test, action plan, intervention program, COPD education, COPD community, monitoring and reminders.