A Mixed Methods Approach to Designing a mHealth Application Wireframe Framework for Older Adults

This experience report discusses the process of creating a mHealth application wireframe framework called "mHapps" through a mixed methods approach. I provide preliminary results of a mixed-methods study conducted in order to to create a tool to assist designers with designing better mHealth applications for older adults. Existing research shows that improved mHealth applications for older adults can lead to improving the quality of life or even support independent living. My research uses an exploratory sequential mixed-method research design that uses a content analysis, a survey and a mHealth application prototype tested among older adult participants over the age of 55. Survey results revealed that participants preferred scheduling doctor's appointments via phone or in-person and the user test suggested that older adults would consider using a mHealth application for appointment scheduling if the process was not time consuming. Development of the mHapps Framework is still in process and is estimated for completion Fall 2023.