Abstract
PURPOSE: Young-people are increasingly using apps and the internet to source information about health. However, the range of online sources available are inconsistent in their reliability and trustworthiness, and young-people are not always able to translate advice and information into improved health behaviors (health literacy). In this study, we evaluated whether a new clinically approved NHS health app for young-people can improve health literacy.
DESIGN: Semi-structured interviews and focus-groups were conducted with 26 young-people in the target age and demographic ranges. The technology acceptance model (TAM) was used to frame the research. RESULTS: Using thematic analysis, young-people reported that across 4 subthemes, the app had good ‘perceived usefulness’ and was credible and trustworthy. This positively influenced uptake, although social influences were under-developed in influencing acceptance. The app lacked ‘perceived ease of use’ across three themes, which limited the impact on health literacy and improved health behaviors.
LIMITATIONS: Turnout at the focus groups was low, suggesting sample confounds for motivation.
IMPLICATIONS: Empowering young-people to take control of their health literacy is a key concern for health service providers (such as the NHS) who need to provide cost-effective ways of addressing emerging health needs. Our research indicates how future health apps can be designed to optimize this.
ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This is the first qualitative study to demonstrate how a general, free health app can be actively adopted by young people to optimize health literacy.
DESIGN: Semi-structured interviews and focus-groups were conducted with 26 young-people in the target age and demographic ranges. The technology acceptance model (TAM) was used to frame the research. RESULTS: Using thematic analysis, young-people reported that across 4 subthemes, the app had good ‘perceived usefulness’ and was credible and trustworthy. This positively influenced uptake, although social influences were under-developed in influencing acceptance. The app lacked ‘perceived ease of use’ across three themes, which limited the impact on health literacy and improved health behaviors.
LIMITATIONS: Turnout at the focus groups was low, suggesting sample confounds for motivation.
IMPLICATIONS: Empowering young-people to take control of their health literacy is a key concern for health service providers (such as the NHS) who need to provide cost-effective ways of addressing emerging health needs. Our research indicates how future health apps can be designed to optimize this.
ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This is the first qualitative study to demonstrate how a general, free health app can be actively adopted by young people to optimize health literacy.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 1251-1251 |
| Publication status | Unpublished - 2019 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | 19th Congress of the European Association of Work and Organizational Psychology: Working for the greater good - Turin, Italy Duration: 29 May 2019 → 1 Jun 2019 Conference number: 19 http://www.eawop.org/past-congresses |
Conference
| Conference | 19th Congress of the European Association of Work and Organizational Psychology |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | EAWOP |
| Country/Territory | Italy |
| City | Turin |
| Period | 29/05/19 → 1/06/19 |
| Internet address |