Design and Development a Mobile-Based Self-Care Application for Patient with Depression and Anxiety Disorders: An applied and developmental study

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aim Depression and anxiety can cause social, behavioral, occupational and functional impairments if not controlled and managed. Mobile-based self-care applications can be used as an important and effective factor in controlling and reducing the effects of anxiety disorders and depression. The aim of this study was to design and development a mobile-based self-care application for patient with depression and anxiety disorders. Materials and methods In this applied - developmental study we designed a mobile-based application for self -management of depression and anxiety disorders. In order to design this application, first the education- informational needs and capabilities were identified through a systematic review. Then, according to 20 patients with depression and anxiety, this education-informational needs and application capabilities were approved. In the next step, the application was designed. Results Of 80 education- informational needs and capabilities, 69 needs and capabilities with a mean greater than and equal to 3.75 (75%) were considered in application design. Disease control and management, drug management, nutrition and diet management, recording clinical records, communicating with physicians and other patients, reminding appointments, how to improve lifestyle, quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption, educational content, sedation instructions, introducing health care centers for depression and anxiety treatment and recording activities, personal goals and habits in a diary were the most important features of this application. Conclusion The designed application can improve self-care among people with depressive and stress disorders and help patients to access the information they need without search the Internet.