Poster Presentation ESA-SRB-APEG-NZSE 2022

User experience testing of a healthy lifestyle check IT application for scale of multidisciplinary programs for children and youth affected by weight issues. (#438)

Yvonne Anderson 1 2 , Lisa Wynter 3 , Maggie Radich 3 , José Derraik 2 , Cervantée Wild 2 , Gill Dobbie 4 , Trudy Sullivan 5 , Ken Taiapa 6 , Sarah Armstrong 7 , Gregory Lynne 2 , Cameron Grant 2 , Stephen Bro 4 , Danielle Lottridge 4
  1. Child and Adolescent Health Service | enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
  2. Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
  3. Taranaki Base Hospital, New Plymouth, New Zealand
  4. Computer Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
  5. Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
  6. Tangata, New Plympouth, New Zealand
  7. Department of Paediatrics, Duke University, Durham, United States

The World Health Organization recommends multicomponent lifestyle weight management services for affected children/youth.(1) However, there is a lack of these services across Australia(2) and globally. Based on a 10-year evidence-base from a healthy lifestyle assessment/intervention program, we developed a healthy lifestyle check (HLC) IT application to individualise care, providing efficient screening of weight-related comorbidities in home-based assessments within such programs. The study aim was to evaluate and implement the HLC IT application within a program, Whānau Pakari.

Beta-testing with health professionals and volunteers was conducted, with feedback refining the application (Phase One). Implementation within Whānau Pakari of the HLC IT application prototype was conducted (Phase Two). Participants included two end-user groups: health professionals administering the HLC (n=2), and the children/youth (and families) referred. Children aged 4-16 years (BMI≥98th percentile, or ≥92nd percentile with pre-existing weight-related comorbidities) and their accompanying adult were eligible. A heuristic evaluation of user experience (UX) was conducted along with post-assessment interviews and survey questions, including System Usability Score (SUS), tracking progress on usability/acceptance. Phase three involved refining the application based on end-user feedback for implementation.

The HLC IT application demonstrated an above average SUS (mean = 88). 11 sessions were conducted to attain data saturation. Qualitative themes identified were session length, input types, input roles, and engagement. Session length was subsequently reduced, inputs were modified for ease of use, input role clarification was achieved, and a more engaging platform was created. The HLC IT application was refined in phase three, ready for further UX testing.

A scalable unit (program and application) has been developed to allow greater access to healthy lifestyle programs. With inclusion of a HLC IT application, programs could be scaled, ensuring weight- related comorbidities are systematically addressed in demedicalised appointments, whilst providing flexibility for communities in terms of the intervention they deliver.

 

  1. 1. World Health Organization. Report of the Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity. Geneva; 2016.
  2. 2. McMaster CM, Calleja E, Cohen J, Alexander S, Denney-Wilson E, Baur LA. Current status of multi-disciplinary paediatric weight management services in Australia. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. 2021;57(8):1259-66.