Keywords

Family planning services, Mobile applications

 

Authors

  1. Halsall, Viannella MPH, CHES
  2. Rogers, Jennifer MPH
  3. Witt, Jacki JD, MSN, WHNP-BC, FAANP
  4. Song, Sejun PhD, MS
  5. Nguyen, Hoang Duc Huy
  6. Kelly, Patricia PhD, MPH, APRN

Abstract

Purpose: To provide an overview of lessons learned during the development process of an app for iOS and Android based on national recommendations for providing quality family planning services.

 

Study and Design: After a review of existing apps was conducted to determine whether an app of clinical recommendations for family planning existed, a team of clinicians, training specialists, and app developers created a resource app by first drafting a comprehensive content map. A prototype of the app was then pilot tested using smart tablets by a volunteer convenience sample of women's healthcare professionals. Outcomes measured included usability, acceptability, download analytics, and satisfaction by clinicians as reported through an investigator-developed tool.

 

Results: Sixty-nine professionals tested a prototype of the app, and completed a user satisfaction tool. Overall, user feedback was positive, and a zoom function was added to the final version as a result of the pilot test. Within 3 months of being publicly available, the app was downloaded 677 times, with 97% of downloads occurring on smart phones, 76% downloads occurring on iOS devices, and 24% on Android devices. This trend persisted throughout the following 3 months.

 

Clinical Implications: Clinicians with an interest in developing an app should consider a team approach to development, pilot test the app prior to wider distribution, and develop a web-based version of the app to be used by clinicians who are unable to access smart devices in their practice setting.