Evaluating an mHealth program to address self-management post pediatric solid organ transplant

What is it about?

This research article focuses on the feasibility and acceptability of an mHealth intervention developed to support self-management in the immediate post-transplant period for pediatric patients. Families in the study were randomized to the intervention group or a control and followed over the one-month period post discharge from the hospital following solid organ transplant. Families in the intervention completed a brief, daily measure on their phone through the myFAMI app to rate experiences with coping, medication administration, and attending medical appointments. If a response flagged as concerning, the family was called within two hours of completing the measure by a nurse to provide follow-up evaluation. Family quality of life, coping, self-management, and utilization of health care resources was evaluated pre- and post-intervention. While significant differences were not found between the intervention and control groups (this was a small sample), most families in the intervention used the app 90% or more of the days, most families triggered an alert in the app, and alerts were successfully followed up within two hours. Overall, these results suggest that the program is feasible and acceptable for families.

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Photo by Kelli McClintock on Unsplash

Photo by Kelli McClintock on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The post-transplant period can be particularly fraught for families as they navigate care following discharge from the hospital. Ongoing education, engagement with health care resources, and increased self-management demands are major features of this critical time period. While this study utilized a small sample, making it hard to interpret statistical significance if the outcome measures, the families in this study were highly engaged in the program and generated a high number of trigger alerts. These types of interventions that only require a few minutes of time to complete over the phone daily are generally easier participate in than lengthy programs and help maintain communication between patients are care teams at a medically vulnerable time.