Impact of Training and Integration of Apps Into Dietetic Practice on Dietitians' Self-Efficacy With Using Mobile Health Apps and Patient Satisfaction.

The use of mobile health (mHealth) apps in dietetic practice could support the delivery of nutrition care in medical nutrition therapy. However, apps are underutilized by dietitians in patient care. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of an intervention consisting of education, training, and integration of apps in improving dietitians' perceived self-efficacy with using mHealth apps. Private practice Accredited Practising Dietitians who were not regular users or recommenders of mHealth apps were recruited into the intervention. The intervention consisted of 2 phases: (1) a workshop that incorporated an educational lecture and skill-building activities to target self-efficacy, capability, opportunity, and motivation factors and (2) a 12-week intervention phase allowing for the integration of an app into dietetic practice via an app platform. During the 12-week intervention phase, dietitians prescribed an Australian commercial nutrition app to new (intervention) patients receiving nutrition care. Existing (control) patients were also recruited to provide a measure of patient satisfaction before the apps were introduced. New patients completed their patient satisfaction surveys at the end of the 12 weeks. Usability feedback about the app and app platform was gathered from intervention patients and dietitians. A total of 5 dietitians participated in the study. On the basis of an analysis of variance with the Tukey post hoc tests, the educational and skills training workshop component of the intervention produced immediate improvements in mean ratings for dietitians' self-efficacy with using mHealth apps compared with baseline (P=.02), particularly with regard to familiarity with apps factor (P<.001). The self-efficacy factor integration into dietetic work systems achieved significant improvements from baseline to 12 weeks (P=.03). Patient satisfaction with dietetic services did not differ significantly between intervention (n=17) and control patients (n=13). Overall, dietitians and their patients indicated that they would continue using the app platform and app, respectively, and would recommend it to others. To improve usability, enhancing patient-dietitian communication mediums in the app platform and reducing the burden of entering in meals cooked at home should be considered. Administering an educational and skills training workshop in conjunction with integrating an app platform into dietetic practice was a feasible method for improving the self-efficacy of dietitians toward using mHealth apps. Further translational research will be required to determine how the broader dietetic profession responds to this intervention.

Chen J ，Allman-Farinelli M 《JMIR mHealth and uHealth》

Development and Validation of a Tool to Measure Dietitians' Self-Efficacy with Using Mobile Health Apps in Dietetic Practice.

To develop and validate a tool for assessing dietitians' self-efficacy with using mobile health (mHealth) apps in dietetic practice. A tool for measuring mHealth app self-efficacy among dietitians was constructed based on a literature review, consultation with experts, and Bandura's self-efficacy scales development guide. Senior dietetic students and new graduate dietitians in Australia (n = 100) tested the tool. Validation of the tool was conducted using factor analysis. Reliability testing was undertaken to examine internal consistency and repeatability. Construct validity was demonstrated through extraction of 4 factors with significant loadings accounting for 68% of variance: efficiency and effectiveness of nutrition care, training and support, integration into dietetic work systems, and familiarity with apps. Internal consistency reliability overall was 0.90; 3 of 4 constructs had Cronbach α > .70. Weighted kappas for test-retest reliability indicated moderate to substantial agreement (0.43-0.76). This tool will be useful to researchers and dietetic associations interested in measuring dietitians' levels of mHealth app self-efficacy, developing interventions to enhance self-efficacy, and/or evaluating changes in self-efficacy after professional training. Testing of the tool in a more diverse sample of dietitians and among other health professional groups could enhance the applicability of the tool.

Chen J ，Allman-Farinelli M 《-》

The use of smartphone health apps and other mobile health (mHealth) technologies in dietetic practice: a three country study.

Smartphone health applications (apps) and other mobile health (mHealth) technologies may assist dietitians in improving the efficiency of patient care. The present study investigated the use of health apps and text messaging in dietetic practice and formulated intervention recommendations for supporting app uptake by dietitians based on the behavioural 'COM-B' system, where interactions between capability, opportunity and motivation influence behaviour. A 52-item online survey tool, taking 20 min to complete, was developed and piloted, with questions exploring the use of health apps and text messaging in dietetic practice, types of apps dietitians recommended and that patients used, and barriers and enablers to app use in dietetic practice. The Australian, New Zealand and British dietetic associations distributed the survey to their members. A 5% response rate was achieved internationally, with 570 completed responses included for further analysis. Health apps, namely nutrition apps, were used by 62% of dietitians in their practice, primarily as an information resource (74%) and for patient self-monitoring (60%). The top two nutrition apps recommended were MyFitnessPal® (62%) and the Monash University Low FODMAP Diet® (44%). Text messaging was used by 51% of respondents, mainly for appointment-related purposes (84%). Although the reported use of smartphone health apps in dietetic practice is high, health apps and other mHealth technologies are not currently being used for behaviour change, nor are they an integral part of the nutrition care process. Dietetic associations should provide training, education and advocacy to enable the profession to more effectively engage with and implement apps into their practice.

Chen J ，Lieffers J ，Bauman A ，Hanning R ，Allman-Farinelli M ... -  《-》

Designing Health Apps to Support Dietetic Professional Practice and Their Patients: Qualitative Results From an International Survey.

Dietitians are engaging with mobile health (mHealth) technologies, particularly with diet and nutrition apps in their patient care. Despite the plethora of apps available, the majority are not designed with a dietitian's input. The aim of this study was to identify the user preferences of dietitians in relation to tools, resources, and design features for smartphone health apps that would support their dietetic professional practice and their patients. As part of a larger international Web-based survey of health-app use among dietitians, three open-ended responses were included for specific exploration of app design features and additional resources or tools that could guide the development of apps for use in dietetic practice and patient care. Inductive thematic analysis of responses was conducted using the qualitative data analysis program, NVivo version 11 (QSR International Pty Ltd), to understand the design preferences and features valued by dietitians. The responses from 381 dietitian respondents were analyzed. Five key themes were identified. Dietitians wanted access to credible apps, suggesting that dietetic associations should have greater involvement in reviewing and endorsing evidence-based apps for use in dietary counseling. Improvements to the usability of apps, relating to their ease of use and design, were also raised, as self-monitoring of dietary behaviors using existing nutrition apps was deemed to be burdensome. Furthermore, apps providing dietitian-oriented support were favored, for example, those with the ability to streamline the dietary assessment process, so that dietitians could spend more time on dietary counseling and negotiating patient goals for dietary and lifestyle behavior change. Provision of patient-oriented support, such as functionality to tailor apps to patient-specific needs, was also considered important. Finally, respondents valued apps that could integrate into their work systems to enhance the quality of the dietitian-patient relationship. App developers should draw upon the features and characteristics valued by dietitians to guide their development of apps that support dietetic practice and enhance patient care. Moreover, to achieve better dietitian and patient-centered app design, it is imperative that app developers take a collaborative approach with dietitians, their professional associations, and their patients.

Chen J ，Lieffers J ，Bauman A ，Hanning R ，Allman-Farinelli M ... -  《JMIR mHealth and uHealth》

Smartphone apps and the nutrition care process: Current perspectives and future considerations.

Chen J ，Gemming L ，Hanning R ，Allman-Farinelli M ... -  《-》