Mabikas: Frailty Assessment Mobile Health Application for Older Adults

Abstract

Frailty is a global health burden since it dramatically impacts the health of an older adult. Frailty assessment mHeatlh app can be used in the community health setting as a tool to identify risks and suggest interventions. This study aimed to explore the end-user environment and problems relating to the frailty assessment of the older adult, discover the design specifications mHealth app, and determine the usability of the developed frailty mHealth app. The study employed the Modified Information Systems Research (MISR) framework, combining two user-centered design methods, viz; Information Systems Research and Design Thinking. Twenty-two research participants representing various roles: public health nurses and midwives, barangay health workers, and caregivers consented to the study. The data collection instruments are the Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire (PSSUQ) and the guides for observations, interviews or focus group discussion, think-aloud protocol, brainstorming, prototyping, and personas. The problems relating to frailty assessment are Frailty assessment tools nonexisting, Risk assessment not being mandatory, Access to health services are disrupted, Indifference with frailty as a public health problem, and Lack of geriatric-specific programs in community health facilities (FRAIL). The design specifications are Navigations and functions, Accessibility, Profile, Interventions, Good color, Simple contents, and Appropriate language (NAPIGSA). The usability testing confirmed the mHealth app as satisfying and performing in terms of system usefulness, information quality, and interface quality. Utilizing the MISR framework, the study developed a frailty assessment mHeath app termed Mabikas, a local dialect related to strength and health in the elderly.