DESIGN AND USABILITY ASSESSMENT OF THE PATENS MOBILE APPLICATION FOR HEART FAILURE PATIENT MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to develop and evaluate the usability of the Patens mobile application, designed to support HF self-management by providing educational resources, symptom tracking, and medication reminders, with an emphasis on a patient-centered, iterative design approach.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed, including content validation and usability testing. Ten experts in medical-surgical nursing validated the app’s content using the Content Validity Index (CVI) and modified kappa agreement, achieving a kappa of 0.912, indicating good validity. The System Usability Scale (SUS) and Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) assessed usability and engagement among 20 participants using a “Think Aloud” protocol to identify usability issues. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, usability scores, and issue frequencies with severity ratings.

Results: Content validation confirmed high content relevance (CVI values of 0.80–1.00). Usability testing revealed 12 issues, including confusing navigation and challenging terminology, impacting user experience. The mean SUS score was 65.13 (SD = 11.25), indicating moderate usability, while the mean IMI score of 4.21 (SD = 1.02) suggested room for improvement in engagement. Completion rates and task times showed acceptable performance but highlighted areas for design enhancements.

Conclusion: The Patens mobile application has potential as a supportive tool for HF management, with validated content and moderate usability. Addressing identified usability issues, such as simplifying terminology and refining interface navigation, can enhance user satisfaction and engagement, making the app a more effective clinical tool.