TY  - JOUR
AU  - Switsers, Lise
AU  - Dauwe, Arthur
AU  - Vanhoudt, Anneleen
AU  - Van Dyck, Hilde
AU  - Lombaerts, Koen
AU  - Oldenburg, JFE
PY  - 2018
DA  - 2018/05/02
TI  - Users’ Perspectives on mHealth Self-Management of Bipolar Disorder: Qualitative Focus Group Study
JO  - JMIR Mhealth Uhealth
SP  - e108
VL  - 6
IS  - 5
KW  - bipolar disorder
KW  - self-management
KW  - mHealth
KW  - focus groups
AB  - 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. 
SN  - 2291-5222
UR  - http://mhealth.jmir.org/2018/5/e108/
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.9529
UR  - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29720363
DO  - 10.2196/mhealth.9529
ID  - info:doi/10.2196/mhealth.9529
ER  -