A Framework for Evaluating MHealth Tools for Older Patients on Usability

Mobile health (mHealth) apps can play a significant role in supporting older patients. The aging process is yet related to progressive degradation of sensory, physical and cognitive abilities. mHealth apps with touch screen based interfaces thus need to be adapted to the, often impaired, skills and special needs of older patients. However, existing design guidelines for mHealth apps do not address the aging barriers that older users face in working with touch screen based applications. By means of a constructed conceptual framework on cognitive, motivational, physical and visual impairments of older adults, this study revealed possible aging barriers concerning identified usability issues of an mHealth app for older patients. Insights into the aging process barriers that underlie usability issues supports developers in (re)designing mHealth apps that are better attuned to the needs of the older patient population.