Understanding factors that influence continuous and intended mobile health app use in patients with chronic disease

Abstract

Mobile Health (mHealth) applications have gained significant prominence in recent years, reshaping healthcare delivery worldwide. The proliferation of smartphones and tablets, coupled with rapid technological advancements, has led to an explosive growth in the mHealth sector. These applications offer patients the ability to make informed decisions about their healthcare, providing comprehensive methods to manage their health conditions. However, despite the growing popularity and adoption of mHealth apps for various health interventions, there remains significant dropout rates, with a substantial proportion of users not adhering to the intended app use.

The reported attrition rates and non-adherence to mHealth apps pose a significant challenge to chronic disease management and long-term health intervention programs. This was evident in a number of studies which observed a majority of users discontinue their engagement with mHealth apps after just a few usages, with a quarter of such apps experiencing a singular usage event following installation. Other studies have shown that many app interventions only witness minimal engagement from the users and are often short-lived. This widespread non-adherence to the intended use and continuous use of mHealth apps severely hampers their potential to improve individuals' health outcomes.

Identifying the factors influencing intended and continuous app use is crucial to addressing this issue. This thesis investigates the influence of emotional, cognitive states and personal needs of mHealth users on the continued and intended use of mHealth apps. Given the psychological, emotional, and health complexities that mHealth users often face, these factors can play a pivotal role in explaining the users' decision towards the continuous and intended use of mHealth apps. By developing a deeper understanding of these influences, we aim to provide valuable insights that can help improve the design and functionality of future mHealth apps.