Supporting mental well-being of healthcare workers using a mobile app: A mixed-methods feasibility study

TL;DR

A mobile app called MYARKEO was tested to support the mental well-being of healthcare workers and trainees in the UK, showing promise but also areas needing improvement.

Contribution

This study evaluates the feasibility of using a mobile app to improve mental well-being among healthcare workers through a mixed-methods approach.

Findings

The study found a 20.5% dropout rate and 64.5% average daily app usage among participants.

Themes from interviews included usefulness, enablers, barriers, and suggested improvements for the app.

The study supports the feasibility of using mobile apps for mental well-being but highlights the need for design and content refinements.

Abstract

Poor mental well-being is common among healthcare workers, affecting individual health, patient safety, and organisational performance. Mobile app-based self-care interventions are promising due to their accessibility, low cost, and ease of use. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of a self-monitoring mobile app called MYARKEO, to improve mental well-being among healthcare workers and healthcare trainees in the United Kingdom (UK). The study evaluated recruitment and retention rates, variability of key outcomes to inform a future randomised controlled trial (RCT), intervention engagement, barriers and facilitators to engagement, and potential refinements to the mobile app. A mixed-method feasibility RCT was conducted with two groups: an intervention group using MYARKEO to monitor mental well-being over 6 weeks, and a non-intervention control group. Data were collected at baseline and post-intervention and included the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS), the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and the mHealth App Usability Questionnaire (MAUQ). Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews (n = 13) and analysed using thematic analysis. Forty-nine participants (32 workers, 17 trainees; aged 18–60+) were included in the trial, with a 20.5% dropout rate. Daily app usage averaged 64.5%. Participants frequently monitored mood, sleep, food, and exercise. Interviews identified themes of “Usefulness,” “Enablers of engagement,” “Barriers to engagement,” and “Suggested intervention improvements.” This study demonstrates the feasibility of using a mobile app to monitor and promote mental well-being among healthcare workers and trainees. While app engagement was promising, challenges were identified, highlighting the need for refinements to the app’s content, interface, and design for future trials.

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