From Web-Based to Mobile: Experiences of Developing a Personally Controlled Health Management System

Objective/Aims: Personally controlled health management systems (PCHMS) in mobile technologies offer a new platform for personal health care. The objective of this study was to develop a mobile version of "Healthy.me", an existing web-based PCHMS, and analyse its usability. Method: The mobile extension of the PCHMS was iteratively designed from its web-based version and evaluated over a period of 6 months. 17 participants completed a 30-minute five-part usability study incorporating the think aloud protocol, task activities, card ranking exercises, interviews, and a technology acceptance questionnaire measuring the "perceived usefulness" and "perceived ease of use" of the mobile version. Results: A mobile version of the PCHMS from its original web-based conception was successfully developed. According to their ratings on the technology acceptance questionnaire, participants found the overall mobile application useful, easy to use, and that there is strong intention to use the mobile application to manage their health. Conclusion: Providing a PCHMS in both web-based and mobile-based platform that is well accepted by consumers should allow more people to have convenient access to their health information, selfmanagement tools and thus improve their overall day-to-day health management. The user experience on smartphone should be carefully considered when transferring a PCHMS from traditional web-based to mobile application.