User evaluation of a mobile education application for the management of metabolic syndrome among cancer survivors

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to develop a smartphone education application for managing metabolic syndrome among cancer survivors and obtain user evaluation based on quantitative and qualitative data.

Methods: Ten cancer survivors and 10 oncology nurse specialists responded to a structured usability evaluation tool (Mobile Application Rating Scale: MARS). Quantitative data analysis was performed through descriptive statistics using SPSS version 25.0. We conducted semi-structured interviews of the cancer survivors and oncology nurse specialists. Qualitative data of interview responses were coded as the app's strengths and weaknesses, information, motivation, and behavioral change.

Results: The overall usability evaluation score of the app was 3.66 ± 0.39 for cancer survivors and 3.79 ± 0.20 for oncology nurse specialists. Both cancer survivors and oncology nurse specialists scored the area of functionality as the highest and engagement as the lowest. Additionally, the qualitative usability evaluation suggested that the app should be visually improved by including figures and tables to enhance readability and providing videos and more specific guidelines to directly elicit behavioral change.

Conclusions: Metabolic syndrome in cancer survivors can be effectively managed by using the educational application developed in this study by improving the shortcomings of the app for cancer survivors.

Keywords: Cancer Survivors; Metabolic syndrome; Mobile application; User evaluation.