Terri Sun1, Dustin Dunsmuir1, Ian Miao2, Gregor M Devoy3, Nicholas C West1, Matthias Görges1,4, Gillian R Lauder1,5, J Mark Ansermino1,4,5. 1. Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 2. Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 3. School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK. 4. BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 5. Department of Pediatric Anesthesia, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Postoperative pain in children is often poorly managed at home, leading to slower functional recovery, poor oral intake, sleep disturbances, and behavioral changes. Panda is a smartphone application (app) designed to support parents in assessing their child's pain and managing medications. AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the Panda app's usability and feasibility in hospital prior to testing the app at home. METHODS: The study comprised two phases. Phase I evaluated Panda's usability with nurses, parents, and adolescents using simulated scenarios. Usability was measured by task completion rate, user error rates, and the Computer Systems Usability Questionnaire. Phase II evaluated Panda's feasibility by observing parents/guardians of pediatric patients using the app on the postsurgical ward. Feasibility was measured using response frequency and delay following app notifications from an audit trail of app function, and parental satisfaction from an interview. Feedback was used to guide iterative app improvements. RESULTS: In Phase I, 13 nurses, 12 parents, and 5 adolescents evaluated the app. A total of 103 usability issues were identified, analyzed, and addressed. In Phase II, 29 parents responded to a total of 151 app notifications, with 84% responding within 1 hour in the final round of testing; 93% of participants reported the app was easy to use, and rated the app with a median [interquartile range] Computer Systems Usability Questionnaire score of 2 [1-4]. Significant barriers to use included lack of flexibility in the medication scheduling, low volume of alert sounds, and the extra time spent on medication safety checks. CONCLUSION: Panda's usability was improved and its feasibility demonstrated in the controlled hospital environment. The next step is to evaluate its feasibility for use at home.
BACKGROUND:Postoperative pain in children is often poorly managed at home, leading to slower functional recovery, poor oral intake, sleep disturbances, and behavioral changes. Panda is a smartphone application (app) designed to support parents in assessing their child's pain and managing medications. AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the Panda app's usability and feasibility in hospital prior to testing the app at home. METHODS: The study comprised two phases. Phase I evaluated Panda's usability with nurses, parents, and adolescents using simulated scenarios. Usability was measured by task completion rate, user error rates, and the Computer Systems Usability Questionnaire. Phase II evaluated Panda's feasibility by observing parents/guardians of pediatric patients using the app on the postsurgical ward. Feasibility was measured using response frequency and delay following app notifications from an audit trail of app function, and parental satisfaction from an interview. Feedback was used to guide iterative app improvements. RESULTS: In Phase I, 13 nurses, 12 parents, and 5 adolescents evaluated the app. A total of 103 usability issues were identified, analyzed, and addressed. In Phase II, 29 parents responded to a total of 151 app notifications, with 84% responding within 1 hour in the final round of testing; 93% of participants reported the app was easy to use, and rated the app with a median [interquartile range] Computer Systems Usability Questionnaire score of 2 [1-4]. Significant barriers to use included lack of flexibility in the medication scheduling, low volume of alert sounds, and the extra time spent on medication safety checks. CONCLUSION: Panda's usability was improved and its feasibility demonstrated in the controlled hospital environment. The next step is to evaluate its feasibility for use at home.
Authors: Rachita Sood; Jenna R Stoehr; Lindsay E Janes; Jason H Ko; Gregory A Dumanian; Sumanas W Jordan Journal: Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open Date: 2020-04-29
Authors: Amanda S Newton; Sonja March; Nicole D Gehring; Arlen K Rowe; Ashley D Radomski Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2021-12-02 Impact factor: 5.428