INVOLVEMENT OF USERS EARLY IN MOBILE APP DEVELOPMENT POTENTIALLY INCREASES FUTURE ENGAGEMENT
It is well known that participatory methods help in research. However, there is little evidence to demonstrate how this can be done effectively within cohort studies. In this STAGE study, researchers report the results of using a participatory design approach to gather knowledge on the requirements for a health monitoring mobile application (app). Involving clinicians and researchers in the process increased the relevance and potential future use of the app for users.
Previous studies have shown that involving and engaging with the community and patients in the design of health research, and in designing and implementing digital solutions in healthcare, ensures researchers can better address user needs, reduce research waste and enhance the relevance of their work.
In the Stay Healthy Through Ageing (STAGE) project, we are delivering a co-designed mobile app to monitor the lifestyle of older adults, alongside AI models, to enable future risk prediction of multi-morbidity.
In this study, published in the Finnish Journal of eHealth and Welfare, researchers at the University of Oulu developed an electronic survey containing open-ended questions to address the purpose and requirements of the app. A link to the survey was distributed to clinicians and researchers affiliated with the University’s Faculty of Medicine. 28 responses were received and analysed using pre-existing theories or hypotheses.
The analysis highlighted the following user requirements:
Physical, mental, social and environmental aspects should be reflected in the contents of the app to address the monitoring of holistic wellbeing.
The application should contain diverse functionalities to track and monitor the user’s health in an automated manner and through self-reporting.
Extensive measures which consider ethical aspects should be undertaken both before and during application use.
The view on the purpose of using the app included for:
Research
Personalised Health Management
Health Promotion
Diagnostics
Decision-Making Support
Involving clinicians and researchers in gathering knowledge about the requirements for mobile applications use in healthcare delivery increased the relevance of the app from the user’s perspective. It also increases the potential interest in using the app for clinical and research purposes and in recommending the app to patients.
Since the initial study was published, the research team have widened and deepened the co-design work to include citizens, using patient and public involvement, to increase inclusivity. In the future, other stakeholders such as informal caregivers, educators and policymakers will be involved to improve the quality of the research and relevance of the mobile application, as well as to consider the pros and cons of using AI in healthcare delivery.
The health monitoring clinical study in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966, using the mobile app developed Ab.Acus, will begin at the University of Oulu in January 2026.
To find out more about the clinical and intervention studies being conducted in the STAGE project, visit the Work Package 8 page on the project website.
PAPER
Erika Jarva, Tiia Yrttiaho and Minna Isomursu. Requirements elicitation for a health monitoring mobile application: a participatory design approach with clinicians and researchers. Finnish Journal of eHealth and Welfare (2025). 17(1).