BACKGROUND
Self-management plays a crucial role in the care of individuals with chronic illnesses. Among these individuals, those afflicted with chronic illnesses constitute a distinct cohort that necessitates tailored nursing care. Mobile applications (mAPPs) have emerged to accommodate the diverse health needs of this population. However, feedback on the improvement of self-management remains inconsistent, and existing scientific literature concerning the efficacy of mAPPs on self-management among chronically ill Filipino patients remains limited.
OBJECTIVE
The study aims to investigate the usability and effectiveness of the Health Storylines mAPP in conjunction with pamphlets for enhancing self-management among individuals with chronic illnesses in Baguio City, Philippines.
METHODS
The study utilized a two-arm quasi-experimental research design to evaluate the usability and effectiveness of the Health Storylines mAPP in improving self-management among chronically-ill patients in Baguio City. Convenience non-random sampling was employed to select study participants who were aged 18 years old or above, diagnosed with a chronic illness within the last 6 months, residing in Baguio City, and possessed smartphones and internet connectivity. The intervention group received the mAPP to be utilized for four weeks, while the comparison group received a placebo pamphlet. Data were collected using the Self-Management Assessment Scale (SMASc), and outcomes were analyzed pre- and post-intervention.
RESULTS
A total of 33 individuals were recruited, with 17 assigned to the intervention group and 16 to the comparison group. Pre-test results revealed that the participants are capable of always managing their own condition (μ= 5.20 and SD= 0.70). Post-test analysis among those in the intervention group revealed a non-significant decrease in mean value at 5.00 with a paired t-test value of 1.14 and p-value of 0.27. The comparison group exhibited a non-significant increase in mean value at 5.37 with a paired t-test value of -0.52 and p-value of 0.61. Overall, there was no significant difference in self-management scores between the intervention group (μ= 5.00, SD= 0.80) and the comparison group (μ= 5.30, SD= 0.92), as shown by the non-significant U-test results (U= 83.50, df= 28.0, p=0.23).
CONCLUSIONS
Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the majority of the participants demonstrated the capability to effectively manage their health conditions. The utilization of technological innovations such as the Health Storylines mAPP had a limited influence or marginal impact on self-management. However, it was observed that the use of pamphlets showed a positive effect on self-management.