Feasibility of a Mobile Application to Support Reflection and Dialog About Strengths in People With Chronic Illness

Feasibility of a Mobile Application to Support Reflection and Dialog About Strengths in People With Chronic Illness

Self-management of chronic illness can be highly demanding and people need to mobilize their personal strengths in order to live well with their condition. A mobile application was designed in collaboration with people with chronic illness and health care providers with the aims to support awareness of patients' strengths and patient-provider dialogues that include strengths. The aim of the present study is to evaluate with mixed methods the perceived usefulness and usability of the application and potential effects of the application on patients.

In this pre-post design pilot study participants will be recruited from self-management courses for people with rheumatic diseases. Before using the application participants will be asked to report their strengths in a written format. After using the mobile application to reflect on their strengths the participants will be interviewed about their experience of using the application and on the task of reflecting on their strengths. They will also be asked to fill out a questionnaire on perceived usefulness and user-friendliness. Before and after using the application the participants fill out questionnaires on emotions (Positive and Negative Affective Scale) and self-efficacy (The Arthritis Self-efficacy Scale). All interviews will be audio-taped and analyzed with a qualitative approach. Descriptive analysis will be applied for quantitative data.

Participants recruited from a self-management course are asked to use (single time) a mobile application to support reflection of personal strengths. The participant borrows an Ipad and uses the application to 1) reflect and identify their strengths by reviewing a list of examples, 2) define personal goals, and 3) link strengths to goals.

Use of a mobile application (on a borrowed device) with following features: 1) strengths reflection and identification, 2) summary of registered strengths, 3) defining goals, and 4) linking strengths to goals.

This 10 item questionnaire measures usability. Each item has 5 response options with total score ranging from 0 to 100. Higher values represent a better outcome.

This scale measures positive and negative affect with two subscales (positive affect and negative affect). Positive affect subscale scores can range from 10-50, with higher scores representing higher levels of positive affect. Negative affect subscale scores can range from 10-50, with lower scores representing lower levels of negative affect.

This scale measures self-efficacy with two subscales with 5 response options. The "pain" subscale has 5 items and a score range from 0 to 20. The "other symptoms" subscale has 6 items and a score range from 0 to 24. Higher scores equal higher levels of self-efficacy.

Setting 1: Inclusion Criteria: Age of 18 years or older Can read and speak Norwegian language Diagnosed with a chronic condition Participating or having recently participated in a learning and mastery or an outpatient rehabilitation program No exclusion criteria