Integrated Requirements Engineering for Digital Health: Enhancing Self-Care in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Management
Auranen, Kati (2024)
2024
Tietojenkäsittelyopin maisteriohjelma - Master's Programme in Computer Science
Informaatioteknologian ja viestinnän tiedekunta - Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences
Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2024-12-11
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-2024111910330
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-2024111910330
Tiivistelmä
This study explores the development of initial requirements for a user-centered digital health tool designed to support self-care in patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). Conducted as part of the international SMASH-HCM project, the research integrates theoretical frameworks such as the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) and the Octalysis Framework to identify key factors that enhance patient engagement and facilitate effective self-care. Combining Health Literacy (HL) considerations, user personas, and user story mapping, the study establishes a foundational set of user requirements aimed at guiding the design and development of a digital health tool that is clinically relevant, empowering, and capable of promoting active patient participation.
The research process incorporated elements of Requirements Engineering (RE) and User-Centered Design (UCD), though these were applied selectively due to time and resource constraints. The study highlites the importance of balancing motivational strategies with the technical and design aspects of digital health tools and identifies several areas that require further validation and refinement. Key among these is the need for patient surveys and iterative testing to ensure the tool meets the immediate and evolving needs of HCM patients.
The findings suggest that the proposed approach is promising for developing effective digital health interventions. However, it underscores the necessity for ongoing research to refine the tools and expand the application of RE and UCD principles. Future work should focus on validating user requirements with real-world data and exploring the impact of cultural, socioeconomic, and health literacy factors on patient engagement and self-care outcomes.
The research process incorporated elements of Requirements Engineering (RE) and User-Centered Design (UCD), though these were applied selectively due to time and resource constraints. The study highlites the importance of balancing motivational strategies with the technical and design aspects of digital health tools and identifies several areas that require further validation and refinement. Key among these is the need for patient surveys and iterative testing to ensure the tool meets the immediate and evolving needs of HCM patients.
The findings suggest that the proposed approach is promising for developing effective digital health interventions. However, it underscores the necessity for ongoing research to refine the tools and expand the application of RE and UCD principles. Future work should focus on validating user requirements with real-world data and exploring the impact of cultural, socioeconomic, and health literacy factors on patient engagement and self-care outcomes.