BACKGROUND
Mobile health (mHealth) systems that support self-management can improve medical, functional, and psychosocial outcomes for individuals with disabilities and chronic conditions. The mHealth systems can potentially be expanded to support community integration.
OBJECTIVE
The purposes of this study were to: 1) partner with a community-based organization that supports community integration of people with disabilities 2) identify software requirements needed to support community participation 3) iteratively refine an existing mobile health application to include new requirements.
METHODS
Community Living and Support Services (CLASS), a nonprofit organization that serves individuals with disabilities in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was identified as the focus group for this study. Key stakeholders within the Community Partners program at CLASS proposed design requirements for an existing mHealth application that has been used to support self-management, iMHere 2.0.
RESULTS
iMHere 2.0 was developed and revised iteratively to include new modules and features to support community integration by gathering qualitative data from a focus group composed of CLASS members. A caregiver app was also developed. The new system contains features to support finance, transportation, client/caregiver communication, calendar/checklist management, upcoming medical and non-medical appointments, social engagement, pain management, and access to a personal profile. Modifications were made to the following existing modules: education, mood, personal health record, goals, medications, and nutrition.
CONCLUSIONS
A successful partnership with a community-based organization that supports individuals with disabilities resulted in a newly designed mHealth system with features to support community integration.
CLINICALTRIAL