@Article{info:doi/10.2196/mhealth.9529,
author="Switsers, Lise
and Dauwe, Arthur
and Vanhoudt, Anneleen
and Van Dyck, Hilde
and Lombaerts, Koen
and Oldenburg, JFE",
title="Users' Perspectives on mHealth Self-Management of Bipolar Disorder: Qualitative Focus Group Study",
journal="JMIR Mhealth Uhealth",
year="2018",
month="May",
day="02",
volume="6",
number="5",
pages="e108",
keywords="bipolar disorder; self-management; mHealth; focus groups",
abstract="Background: Recent research indicates that current mHealth apps for bipolar disorders (BDs) show crucial shortcomings. They lack important functionality, are of inconsistent quality, and are insufficiently evidence-based. mHealth apps need to be better adapted to the needs of users. The perspectives of adult service users with BD regarding mHealth apps have not been well investigated. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the needs and expectations of adults with BD regarding mHealth apps. Methods: Two focus group sessions were organized in which patients' views on self-management and design and functionality of an mHealth app for BD were assessed. During session 1, four focus groups were organized to identify users' needs regarding support for self-management. Session 2 contained three cocreation focus groups. Through this method, the desired functionality and design were explored. Results: Participants indicated that they were in need of support in various ways. Not only support in psychoeducation, including daily routine, sleep pattern, maintaining social contacts, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and avoidance of stimuli, was considered important for them but also gaining insight into their illness was found to be crucial. Conclusions: According to the participants, their illness-related information is a key factor in gaining insight into their mood pattern. Participants wanted a functional design that would increase daily use and prevent overstimulation. The results of this study should be taken into account when developing new mHealth apps. ",
issn="2291-5222",
doi="10.2196/mhealth.9529",
url="http://mhealth.jmir.org/2018/5/e108/",
url="https://doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.9529",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29720363"
}