Abstract
Background: Self-care is important in Heart Failure (HF) to prevent hospitalization and improve health outcomes. Interactive technology has been demonstrated to assist in improving HF knowledge and self-care.
Purpose: To develop and evaluate an interactive avatar-based application to improve HF knowledge and self-care.
Methods: Participatory action research and feasibility testing using pre-post test methods.
Results: Six HF patients, two HF family members and HF and information technology experts participated in the design and development an avatar-based application using two cycles on critical reflection. Based on the feedback in this co-design, avatar characteristics, images, concepts and quizzes of the application were updated for improving user experience.
Thirteen participants (66±13 years, 76.9% male) were recruited to evaluate the application's feasibility for improvements in HF knowledge, self-care behaviors, and satisfaction. After using the app there was a significant improvement in HF knowledge (median (IQR): 80.0 (70.0 - 93.3) to 86.7 (76.7 – 96.7), p=0.020), self-care maintenance (82.5 (70.0 – 82.5) to 85.0 (77.5 −96.3), p=0.027) and self-care confidence (75.0 (72.9 – 91.7) to 100.0 (95.9 – 100.0), p=0.002). Self-care management did not significantly improve (62.5 (72.7 – 91.7) to 75.0 (29.2 – 93.8), p=0.113). Overall satisfaction with the revised application was high at 90%. There were no particular characteristics that correlated with improved HF knowledge and self-care behaviors.
Conclusion: The avatar-based technology indicated positive improvements in knowledge and self-care. Using a participatory approach in development the application is acceptable and valuable to meet appropriate user experience.
Purpose: To develop and evaluate an interactive avatar-based application to improve HF knowledge and self-care.
Methods: Participatory action research and feasibility testing using pre-post test methods.
Results: Six HF patients, two HF family members and HF and information technology experts participated in the design and development an avatar-based application using two cycles on critical reflection. Based on the feedback in this co-design, avatar characteristics, images, concepts and quizzes of the application were updated for improving user experience.
Thirteen participants (66±13 years, 76.9% male) were recruited to evaluate the application's feasibility for improvements in HF knowledge, self-care behaviors, and satisfaction. After using the app there was a significant improvement in HF knowledge (median (IQR): 80.0 (70.0 - 93.3) to 86.7 (76.7 – 96.7), p=0.020), self-care maintenance (82.5 (70.0 – 82.5) to 85.0 (77.5 −96.3), p=0.027) and self-care confidence (75.0 (72.9 – 91.7) to 100.0 (95.9 – 100.0), p=0.002). Self-care management did not significantly improve (62.5 (72.7 – 91.7) to 75.0 (29.2 – 93.8), p=0.113). Overall satisfaction with the revised application was high at 90%. There were no particular characteristics that correlated with improved HF knowledge and self-care behaviors.
Conclusion: The avatar-based technology indicated positive improvements in knowledge and self-care. Using a participatory approach in development the application is acceptable and valuable to meet appropriate user experience.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 482 |
| Pages (from-to) | S342-S343 |
| Number of pages | 2 |
| Journal | Heart, Lung and Circulation |
| Volume | 28 |
| Issue number | S4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 24 Jun 2019 |
| Event | 67th Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting, the International Society for Heart Research Australasian Section Annual Scientific Meeting and the 13th Annual Australia and New Zealand Endovascular Therapies Meeting - Adelaide, Australia Duration: 8 Aug 2019 → 11 Aug 2019 |
Keywords
- Avatar education
- Healthcare
- Self-care
- Heart failure