From Web-Based to Mobile: Experiences of Developing a Personally Controlled Health Management System

Abstract

Objective/Aims: Personally controlled health management system (PCHMS) in mobile technologies offer a new platform for personal health care. The objective of this study was to develop a mobile version of an existing web-based PCHMS and analyze its usability.

Method: The mobile extension of the PCHMS was iteratively designed from its web-based version and evaluated over a period of 6 months. 17 participants completed a 30-minute five-part usability study incorporating the think aloud protocol, task activities, card sorting exercises, interviews, and a technology acceptance questionnaire measuring the “perceived usefulness” and “perceived ease of use” of the mobile version.

Results: A mobile version of the PCHMS from its original web-based conception was successfully developed. On a scale from 1 to 7 (where 1=strongly agree, and 7=strongly disagree), participants indicated an intention to use the mobile application with a mean of 1.82, perceived usefulness with a mean of 2.24, and ease-of-use with a mean of 2.71, indicating participants found the overall mobile application useful, easy to use, and that there is strong intention to use the mobile application to manage their health.

Conclusion: Providing a PCHMS in both web-based and mobile-based platform that is well accepted by consumers should allow more people to have convenient access to their health information, self-management tools and thus improve their overall day-to-day health management. The user experience on smartphone should be carefully considered when transferring a PCHMS from traditional web-based to mobile application.