User experience of an mHealth application for foot care in people with Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Mobile health (mHealth) applications have been increasingly employed as supportive tools for self-care, particularly in the management of chronic conditions such as Diabetes Mellitus (DM). This study aimed to evaluate the usability, acceptability, utility, and Content Validity Index (CVI) of the D2 app. Descriptive study conducted with specialists in foot care for individuals with DM, with the objective of identifying potential barriers to the app’s use. A total of 20 healthcare professionals working in Primary Health Care Units were interviewed; all had at least one year of experience in providing care to individuals with this condition and were distributed across three states in the Northeast and Southeast regions of Brazil. Scores assigned to acceptability, usability, and utility ranged from 3.0 to 3.8, with most values close to 4, the highest point on the scale, indicating a highly appropriate application. Regarding the CVI, the overall score was also positive (0.88), classifying the content as valid for the intended purpose. Therefore, the D2 app meets the criteria of usability, acceptability, and utility for real-world implementation and is considered suitable for adoption within the Brazilian Unified Health System, particularly in primary care. Its integration with public policies and official health systems is recommended.