Behavioral engagement with mHealth for improved well-being among chronically ill patients: the role of human-related and app-related factors (Preprint)

Abstract

Last decade has shown a considerable increase in the amount of mobile health applications (mHealth apps) in everyday life. These mHealth apps have the potential to significantly improve well-being for chronically ill patients. However, behavioral engagement with mHealth apps remains low.

The aim of this study is to provide insight into the behavioral engagement of adults with chronic conditions with mHealth apps by investigating (1) how it is affected by human-related factors (here, physician motivation) and app-related factors (here, app integration) and (2) how it affects their well-being. Supplementary, this study considers the moderating effect of preference for traditional visits to the physician (habit) and experience in app use (app experience) by the patients.

A scenario based experiment among patients with a chronic condition (n= 521) was carried out. A Bayesian SEM model with mediation and moderation analysis was conducted in MPlus.

Both physician motivation for mHealth app use and mHealth app integration have a positive effect on the behavioral engagement of chronically ill patients towards mHealth apps. Higher behavioral engagement positively influences the hedonic and eudaimonic well-being of chronically ill patients. App experience positively moderates the relationship between app integration and behavioral engagement. A patients’ habit with receiving traditional care does not moderate the relationship between physician motivation and behavioral engagement.

The human and design factor play a key role in behavioral engagement and well-being among patients with a chronic condition. During and after the development of a mHealth app, app integration and physician motivation should be a point of attention.