CN10 - Development and usability test of an individualized nutrition management application (iNutrition) for post-discharged gastric cancer patients following gastrectomy

Background

Malnutrition can be largely reduced by nutrition intervention in post-discharged gastric cancer patients following gastrectomy. However, current nutrition interventions have been unsatisfactory worldwide. This study aimed to develop an individualized nutrition intervention application (iNutrition) and evaluate its usability in post-discharged gastric cancer patients following gastrectomy.

Methods

We developed the iNutrition using the design thinking method, which includes 5 phases: (1) “empathize”: conducting qualitative research to develop knowledge about the patient’s needs; (2) “define”: identifying goals and scope of the iNutrition; (3) “ideation”: conducting a focus group interview with a multidisciplinary team to brainstorm potential solutions; (4) “prototype”: designing the functions and user interface of the iNutrition; (5) “testing”: evaluating the potential usability of the iNutrition through a three-month usability test.

Results

According to the results of qualitative research of 15 patients and 5 clinical staff, the iNutrition should satisfy patients’ needs for tailored nutritional plans, evidence-based nutrition knowledge, adjusting to postoperative anatomy change, and communicating with peers and medical staff. The final version of the iNutrition includes four modules: nutrition management, nutrition knowledge, gastrointestinal symptoms management, and communication center. The four modules include eight functions which are nutrition consultation, nutrition courses, symptoms knowledge, experience communication, nutrition status score, dietary calculator, nutritional requirement, and concrete meal plans. For the usability test, 25 patients with 52% male and mean age of 51.76 (SD 10.33) were recruited. 72.0% of the participants were satisfied with iNutrition; 76.0% and 64.0% reported that iNutrition was useful and easy to use, respectively.

Conclusions

The iNutrition has achieved its functions of serving as a tailored mHealth tool to conduct nutrition intervention in post-discharged gastric cancer patients following gastrectomy with satisfactory usability.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

Sun Yat-sen University.

Funding

The Chinese Institute of Food Science and Technology (CIFST) - Abbott Foundation of Food Nutrition and Safety.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.