Design and Implementation of a web-based Self-Care Application for Patients with Kidney Stone Treated with Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: Kidney stone disease is the third most common, painful and costly problem among urinary tract diseases after urinary tract infection and prostate diseases. The prevalence of this disease affects different aspects of patient's lives and reduces the quality of life. Extracorporeal lithotripsy is a safe method for treating urinary stones. Self-care applications can effectively increase quality of life, save costs, and prevent disease by increasing patient participation. Objective: The aim of this study was to design and develop a self-care application for patients with kidney stones undergoing extracorporeal lithotripsy in three stages: needs of assessment, design and evaluation. Methods: This study is an applied study. A questionnaire was designed to assess information needs and design the application by searching library resources. The questionnaire was given to physicians and specialists in health information management and information technology. Then, based on the approved information elements and capabilities, the self-care application was designed. The usability of the designed program was evaluated with the participation of 20 users. Results: Experts recognized that all data elements and capabilities are essential. Application capabilities were such as familiarity with kidney stone disease and stone-cutting methods, reminding water consumption, medication and time of face-to-face visit, monitoring the patient's symptoms and complications after stone-cutting, communication with the treating physician, and so on. From the users' point of view, the result of the self-care program usability evaluation was evaluated at a good level equal to an average of 7.9 out of a total of nine points. Conclusion: The usability of the self-care application was satisfactory to users in various areas of overall functionality, display, terminology, learning ability, and overall application capability.