Usability and Perception of a Wearable-Integrated Digital Maternity Record App in Germany: User Study
Nissen M, Perez CA, Jäger K, Bleher H, Flaucher M, Hübner H, Danzberger N, Titzmann A, Pontones C, Fasching P, Beckmann M, Eskofier B, Leutheuser H (2023)
Publication Language: English
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2023
Journal
Book Volume: 6
Article Number: e50765
Journal Issue: 1
DOI: 10.2196/50765
Abstract
Background: Although digital maternity records (DMRs) have been evaluated in the past, no previous work investigated usability or acceptance through an observational usability study. Objective: The primary objective was to assess the usability and perception of a DMR smartphone app for pregnant women. The secondary objective was to assess personal preferences and habits related to online information searching, wearable data presentation and interpretation, at-home examination, and sharing data for research purposes during pregnancy. Methods: A DMR smartphone app was developed. Key features such as wearable device integration, study functionalities (eg, questionnaires), and common pregnancy app functionalities (eg, mood tracker) were included. Women who had previously given birth were invited to participate. Participants completed 10 tasks while asked to think aloud. Sessions were conducted via Zoom. Video, audio, and the shared screen were recorded for analysis. Task completion times, task success, errors, and self-reported (free text) feedback were evaluated. Usability was measured through the System Usability Scale (SUS) and User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ). Semistructured interviews were conducted to explore the secondary objective. Results: A total of 11 participants (mean age 34.6, SD 2.2 years) were included in the study. A mean SUS score of 79.09 (SD 18.38) was achieved. The app was rated “above average” in 4 of 6 UEQ categories. Sixteen unique features were requested. We found that 5 of 11 participants would only use wearables during pregnancy if requested to by their physician, while 10 of 11 stated they would share their data for research purposes. Conclusions: Pregnant women rely on their medical caregivers for advice, including on the use of mobile and ubiquitous health technology. Clear benefits must be communicated if issuing wearable devices to pregnant women. Participants that experienced pregnancy complications in the past were overall more open toward the use of wearable devices in pregnancy. Pregnant women have different opinions regarding access to, interpretation of, and reactions to alerts based on wearable data. Future work should investigate personalized concepts covering these aspects.
Authors with CRIS profile
Michael Nissen
Machine Learning and Data Analytics Lab
Katharina Jäger
Machine Learning and Data Analytics Lab
Madeleine Flaucher
Machine Learning and Data Analytics Lab
Hanna Hübner
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Adriana Titzmann
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Constanza Pontones
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Peter Fasching
Professur für Translationale Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe
Matthias Beckmann
Lehrstuhl für Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde
Björn Eskofier
Machine Learning and Data Analytics Lab
Heike Leutheuser
Machine Learning and Data Analytics Lab
Related research project(s)
Involved external institutions
Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Nissen, M., Perez, C.A., Jäger, K., Bleher, H., Flaucher, M., Hübner, H.,... Leutheuser, H. (2023). Usability and Perception of a Wearable-Integrated Digital Maternity Record App in Germany: User Study. JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.2196/50765
MLA:
Nissen, Michael, et al. "Usability and Perception of a Wearable-Integrated Digital Maternity Record App in Germany: User Study." JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting 6.1 (2023).
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