Design process and design evaluation of web-based visualization dashboard to monitor and support the decision-making of travel-related physical activity

Abstract

Patients suffering from coronary heart disease (CHD) require to attend cardiac rehabilitation to manage modifiable risk factors including physical activity (PA) to avoid the progression of the disease. However, attendance in these programs is low. Travel-related PA (TPA) monitoring via a smartphone app can provide an opportunity to assess the part of routine PA level. A digital framework consisting of a smartphone app to monitor travel behaviour and a semi-automated feedback report to show the performance of TPA was used in a pilot trial. An important component of this digital framework is a web-based visualization dashboard designed for healthcare providers to get insights into the routine TPA performance of their patients. This study aims to describe the design process and design evaluation of healthcare providers for the visualization dashboard. After designing the user interface screens of the dashboard, the prospective healthcare providers were contacted from the four hospitals in Belgium. Seven interested representative participants attended a focus group session. The session's proceedings were recorded and transcribed. A directed content analysis was used which utilizes a predetermined coding scheme. The usability of the web-based visualization dashboard's content (monitoring and enhancing TPA) was evaluated as of significant importance within and after the rehabilitation programs in the secondary prevention of CHD. TPA monitoring can be effective in motivating targeted patients who have sedentary lifestyles and do not attend rehabilitation programs. Experts particularly recommended adopting engagement strategies for the TPA monitoring and enhancing frameworks. The strategies to enhance patient engagement should be given high importance in future intervention design.