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What are Headache Smartphone Application (App) Users Actually Looking for in Apps: A Qualitative Analysis of App Reviews to Determine a Patient Centered Approach to Headache Smartphone Apps
Author(s) -
Minen Mia T.,
Gumpel Tyler,
Ali Seher,
Sow Fatoumata,
Toy Kaitlyn
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
headache: the journal of head and face pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.14
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1526-4610
pISSN - 0017-8748
DOI - 10.1111/head.13859
Subject(s) - app store , smartphone app , mobile apps , personalization , usability , android app , smartphone application , android (operating system) , internet privacy , computer science , world wide web , psychology , medicine , multimedia , human–computer interaction , operating system
Background Many headache smartphone applications (apps) are commercially available. A Modified Delphi Study aimed to determine specialists’ expectations of what a headache app should entail but consumer expectations of headache apps have not been evaluated extensively. Objective To evaluate publicly available reviews of headache apps to understand app features that motivate the consumers to use apps. Methods The Google Play and Apple App Stores were systematically searched for headache/migraine diary apps with 10+ consumer reviews. A maximum of 300 “Most Helpful” reviews for each app were extracted. Four coders coded reviews and resolved discrepancies. Themes and subthemes were created based on codes used 5+ times. Results About 15 apps met the study criteria (9 Android, 6 IOS). 945 reviews were coded. Four themes emerged: (1) App allows users to track headache characteristics, potential triggers, and treatments; (2) App usability; (3) Personalization and features to assess trends in data are key motivators for app use; (4) Ease with exportation and viewing data is critical. Discussion A user‐centered design with the ability to (1) customize key features including headache characteristics, potential triggers, and treatments, (2) assess trends in data, and (3) view and export data would best optimize headache smartphone applications based on consumer preference.