Methods: This pilot study applied the evaluation study design method to test the feasibility and usability of the CKD self-management mobile health care system.
Results: The CKD self-management mobile health care application system (calling “Caring-I’m Health CKD) was conducted based on health promotion theory. The content and function of this mHealth care system was developed by the expert Delphi research technique included: exercise record, diet record, health monitor, the scales of physical activity and stress, internet messenger, medical appointment schedule alert, and laboratory reports. Patents could download this application in a mobile device. Most of patients used their smart phones or flat book to record and inquire health information. The records were tabulated by the mobile health care system and displayed in graphics. In addition, the system provided the feedback and warning according to the records.
The pilot study was implemented for two months. There were 30 participants and 10 family completed the study. The majority of the participants were male (70.2%), unemployed (60.5%), and living with family (90.1%). Their average age was 70.43 (SD = 20.10), with the most being in the 65–79 years age group. The most participants were in CKD stage 3b. They responded highly scores in overall satisfaction of the system. Specifically, the item “the easily to use” was scored the most satisfied among the items of system function evaluation, indicating that patients liked the convenience of the system. Moreover, they reported that “the functions of diet record” was the weakness of this system and needed to modify. The score of acceptable was the highest. The most satisfied items were “inquiry the laboratory test reports” and “the trend of health record data.” In contrast, “the record of exercise” and “reminder of medication” were the less satisfied items. Finally, the CKD self-management behaviors scores were increased significantly, indicating that patients had improved self-management behaviors after using the mHealth care system. Overall, this system is user friendly and individualized to help patients implement the self-management in their daily life.
Conclusion: This system is user friendly and individualized to help patients implement the self-management in their daily life. Simplicity is the essential element of developing the mobile health care system. With the integration of utilizing the user friendly and individualized mobile health system, patients with CKD presented significant improvement on engaging their self-management. Therefore, it is important to design the patient-centered mobile health system and help them familiarize the function used in their daily life. It would improve patients’ self-management behaviors.