Santiago Alberto Muñoz*, Telematics Department, University of Cauca, Colombia- South America, Popayan, Colombia Paola Alejandra Moreno*, Telematics Department, University of Cauca, Colombia- South America, Popayan, Colombia Francisco Orlando Martínez, Telematics Department, University of Cauca, Colombia- South America, Popayan, Colombia Diego M Lopez*, Telematics Department, University of Cauca, Colombia- South America, Popayán, Colombia Track: Research Presentation Topic: Mobile & Tablet Health Applications Presentation Type: Poster presentation Submission Type: Single Presentation Last modified: 2012-09-12

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Background: According to the FDA, by 2015 there will be more than 500 million Smartphone user’s, actively employing mobile Apps to support the management of their healthcare problems [1]. Considering that chronic diseases such as hypertension are mainly suffered by elderly, and they are especially affected by usability problems, for instance not being able to perform “simple tasks” such as sending text messages or storing a contact in the address book [2]; this population is in risk to be excluded from the benefits of using m-Health applications/services.
One reason explaining the usability problem is that Apps commonly reflect only the developer's mental model, but the user´s opinion is not normally considered. Moreover, this problem is linked to mobile platforms restrictions, for example limitations in screen size and application´s fragmentation. These problems force developers to build application code for each target platform (Android, iOS, etc), resulting in increased development costs and time. As a consequence, users have to adapt to different user-interfaces and navigation options.
Objective: To propose a mechanism to improve usability of m-Health applications through a user-centered design methodology, incorporating a technique for automatic generation of cross-platform application´s code.
Methods: Application´s usability is supported by the MPIU+a model [3] and the Task Computing software paradigm. MPIU+a is a branch of user-centered design methodology combining software engineering and usability and accessibility engineering processes. Task Computing is a software process that simplifies complex tasks performed in computing environments. In this research, Task Computing is integrated into one of the phases of the MPIU+a model, resulting in a novel methodology for interactive mobile systems that is highly usable and accessible. For providing cross-platform applications, a packaging framework (Phonegap) is used to transform a Web version of the mobile application into at least two different mobile versions (platforms).
Results (work in progress): The proposed methodology is iterative by nature. It starts with an ethnographic analysis, followed by a contextual design of tasks, continuing with the development of as many prototypes as necessary. This process allows refining the application through a continuous user´s feedback process. Under this principle, the methodology will allow to approach the needs, motivations and lifestyles for each user. It involves the user in all the stages of the mHealth application development; therefore adapting the development to the user's mental model.
To evaluate the methodology a case study has been designed, aiming at developing a mHealth application for the Hypertension Control Program in a University Medical Service in Colombia. More than 100 individuals are part of the Hypertension Program, with ages ranging between 45-65 years old. From this group, 15 users will be selected, involving them in the development of the cross-platform m-Health application for Hypertension.
Conclusions (work in progress). So far, the requirements analysis and a mock-up design have been provided. We’re currently in the prototyping phase, which involves the users’ participation. The next activities are the system implementation, evaluation and deployment; which include the adaptation of the application to two different mobile platforms (Android and WindowsPhone).