Connection to Care: Pilot Study of a Mobile Health Tool for Patients With Depression and Anxiety

The number of patients who rated the app was easy to use and the amount of time spent using the app as reasonable when asked about app acceptability in a qualitative interview and via a quantitative survey. Specific survey items included "The technology requires little effort to use," "The technology was easy to learn how to use," "The Ginger.io app is easy to use," and "The time required to answer questions in the Ginger.io app is reasonable." All patients who expressed agreement ("Somewhat Agree," "Agree," or "Strongly Agree") to these items and to similar questions in the qualitative interview were included in the count of patients who found the app acceptable.

The number of care managers who agreed that the app dashboard was easy to use and that the amount of time spent using the app dashboard was reasonable when asked about app acceptability and benefit vs. burden of use with regard to clinical workflow in a qualitative interview.

The number of patients who rated the app as useful to them when asked about app usefulness in a qualitative interview and via a quantitative survey. Specific survey items included "This technology is useful." All patients who expressed agreement ("Somewhat Agree," "Agree," or "Strongly Agree") to this items and to similar questions in the qualitative interview were included in the count of patients who found the app acceptable.

The number of care managers who expressed that the app was useful to them with regard to clinical workflow in a qualitative interview.

The mean total of patient app users' responses to the modified version of the Obtrusiveness Scale for Pervasive Technology, with a mean score of 13-39 indicating that the app is generally perceived as unacceptable/obtrusive, 40-64 indicating neutrality, and 65-91 indicating that the app is generally perceived as acceptable/unobtrusive.

The mean total of patient app users' responses to the Ginger.io product feedback survey, with a mean score of 7-21 indicating satisfaction with the app, 22-34 neutrality, and 35-49 expressing dissatisfaction.

The mean percentage of surveys presented to users through the app that were completed by patient app users in their first 8 weeks of using the app. App survey questions included weekly PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scales and daily measures of mood and medication use as well as satisfaction surveys.

The mean total of patient app users' responses to the 6 items in the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) - Communication scale, with a mean score of 0-5 indicating that participants never or almost never experienced good communication with their care team, 6-11 indicating that participants sometimes experienced good communication with their care team, 12-17 indicating that patients usually experienced good communication with their care teams, and a score of 24 indicating that patients always experienced good communication with their care team.

The mean number of Follow-Up contacts between patient and care manager during the 8 weeks following the patient's activation of the app. (Other types of contacts with the care manager include Initial Assessment and Contact Attempt, but neither of these occurred during the time frame of app use.)