Abstract
Running title: Development and implementation of the MediEmo mobile app
Study question: Is it possible to develop a patient smartphone application for Medically Assisted Reproduction (MAR) that is acceptable and feasible to patients and fertility staff?
Summary answer: Staff and patients responded positively to the MediEmo smartphone application, perceiving it to be acceptable and feasible to implement in a busy clinic.
What is known already: Digital tools are increasingly popular to provide practical, administrative and psychological support alongside medical treatments. Apps and other digital tools have been developed for use alongside MAR but there is very limited research on the development or acceptability and feasibility of these tools.
Study design, size, duration: Mixed methods research. This paper outlines the development phase of the MediEmo smartphone app, which was guided by the Medical Research Council development framework for complex interventions. The resulting MediEmo app was then implemented into a single centre for MAR in the UK, acceptability evaluated, and feasibility explored among 1106 potential participants undertaking IVF cycles.
Main results and the role of chance: Informed by the developmental process described, MediEmo is an app combining patient medication diary management and ease of integration into clinic systems with emotional support, emotional tracking, and data capture. This study demonstrates acceptability and feasibility of MediEmo, with good uptake (79.8%), mood data sensitivity and reliability and positive feedback.
Limitations, reasons for caution: Single centre, small number of users in questionnaire studies.
Wider implications of the findings: The findings suggest smartphone apps can contribute to fertility care and that patient engagement is high. Evaluation of any apps introduced into clinical pathways should be encouraged to promote development of the most useful digital tools for fertility patients.
Study funding/competing interest(s): This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.
Trial registration number: N/A
Date of first patient’s enrolment: N/A
Study question: Is it possible to develop a patient smartphone application for Medically Assisted Reproduction (MAR) that is acceptable and feasible to patients and fertility staff?
Summary answer: Staff and patients responded positively to the MediEmo smartphone application, perceiving it to be acceptable and feasible to implement in a busy clinic.
What is known already: Digital tools are increasingly popular to provide practical, administrative and psychological support alongside medical treatments. Apps and other digital tools have been developed for use alongside MAR but there is very limited research on the development or acceptability and feasibility of these tools.
Study design, size, duration: Mixed methods research. This paper outlines the development phase of the MediEmo smartphone app, which was guided by the Medical Research Council development framework for complex interventions. The resulting MediEmo app was then implemented into a single centre for MAR in the UK, acceptability evaluated, and feasibility explored among 1106 potential participants undertaking IVF cycles.
Main results and the role of chance: Informed by the developmental process described, MediEmo is an app combining patient medication diary management and ease of integration into clinic systems with emotional support, emotional tracking, and data capture. This study demonstrates acceptability and feasibility of MediEmo, with good uptake (79.8%), mood data sensitivity and reliability and positive feedback.
Limitations, reasons for caution: Single centre, small number of users in questionnaire studies.
Wider implications of the findings: The findings suggest smartphone apps can contribute to fertility care and that patient engagement is high. Evaluation of any apps introduced into clinical pathways should be encouraged to promote development of the most useful digital tools for fertility patients.
Study funding/competing interest(s): This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.
Trial registration number: N/A
Date of first patient’s enrolment: N/A
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | deac046 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1007-1017 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Human Reproduction |
| Volume | 37 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| Early online date | 26 Mar 2022 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 26 Mar 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.
Keywords
- MediEmo
- IVF mobile phone application
- psychological support
- medical support
- mHealth intervention
- digital technology