Designing User Friendly Mobile Application to Assist Cancer Patients in Illness Management

Abstract — Mobile terminals are well suited for providing information to patients at the point of need. In the CONNECT (Care Online: Novel Networks to Enhance Communication and Treatment) project, we have developed a mobile application, called Mobile WebChoice, as a part of a patient support tool that enables patients ’ access to a help and support system while they are away from hospital between treatments and during rehabilitation and recovery periods. Through our work we address research questions regarding: development of a user-friendly mobile application, user’s expectations and requirements from the patient support system, and usability issues that affects acceptance of mobile applications in patients ’ health management process. We have used participatory design methods that included interviews and usability testing with patients and health personnel. As a result, we identified main usability requirements that must be taken in consideration when developing and adjusting patient support systems for mobile access and saw that patients find the mobile application useful and the patients are ready to accept it as an integrated part of their health management process. Keywords- mobile application development; health management; patient support system. I