| Description |
As we adopt more technology in our day-to-day lives, there becomes an opportunity for growth in the field of pediatric oncology, specifically in the communication of symptom management in childhood cancers. To optimize quality of care and help ensure the best possible treatment outcome, technology can become a valuable tool in helping children especially get their aches and pains across to the physicians caring for them. The purpose of this thesis is to describe the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of the revised Color Me Healthy app from the perspectives of children with cancer, with attention to the role of the app to support the child in communicating his or her symptom experience. We utilized the Technology Acceptance Model, which aims to define the potential adaptation of technology based on its perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, to analyze transcripts of children following guided usability interviews. Beyond the initial codes proposed in said framework, researchers defined subcodes that corresponded to principles that repeatedly made appearances within statements made by child participants. Children's statements were most frequently mapped to the TAM constructs of computer self-efficacy and job relevance. Children noted that they enjoyed engaging with the app in a game-like manner and felt as if it was relevant to their individual symptom reporting. Additionally, they found themselves reflected in the app as they modified their avatars to represent their physical appearance. Finally, children also noted that they felt as if the app allowed them to communicate more effectively with their clinicians and that they would prefer using such as compared to more traditional paper methods. User feedback served to make subsequent refinements to improve areas of potential improvement within previous versions of the Color Me Healthy app. In the world of pediatric oncology and beyond, we are finding ways to expedite and improve communication between physicians and patients. Better communication ensures better and higher quality patient care. The use of digital health apps such as Color Me Healthy allows for story management and symptom conveyance, which then can be used to create a more comprehensive, patient-centered treatment plan. When you as a practitioner listen to what your patient has to say, you open up a world of possibilities when you can let them have a say in their own treatment and advocate for their own individual needs in a manner previously unused. |
