Motivating mHealth Design for Chronic Conditions: The 3MD Model

I developed the Model for Motivational Mobile-health Design (3MD), a conceptual framework to guide the creation of gamified mHealth solutions for chronic conditions. By integrating condition-specific insights, motivational strategies, and technological capabilities, 3MD provides designers with a structured approach and illustrative design questions to enhance user engagement and health outcomes.

What was the context of our study?

Chronic conditions are the leading causes of mortality worldwide, demanding self-management from patients. While mHealth solutions are increasingly common, many fail to address patient-specific needs or leverage behavioral change theories and gamification effectively. I aimed to bridge these gaps and provide a systematic framework for creating impactful mHealth tools.

What did we do?

We conducted an embedded case study over three years, involving:

  • Review of existing mHealth apps for breast cancer and multiple sclerosis.
  • Analysis of gamification elements in health apps.
  • Stakeholder interviews with patients and healthcare professionals.
  • Design and testing of a gamified mHealth app prototype for fatigue management in multiple sclerosis.

Through thematic analysis of collected data, we formulated the 3MD framework.

What did we find?

The 3MD model comprises three interconnected components:

  • Condition-Specific Factors: Understanding unique patient needs, treatment regimens, and social dynamics.
  • Motivational Aspects: Incorporating gamification and behavioral change theories to engage users effectively.
  • Technology-Based Features: Utilizing mobile capabilities like tracking, feedback, and personalized recommendations.

The model also offers practical design questions, encouraging designers to consider patient narratives, social support, and ethical implications.

Why is this important?

The 3MD framework equips designers with tools to create tailored mHealth solutions that resonate with patients’ experiences and challenges. By integrating gamification and behavioral change principles, it has the potential to improve patient engagement, adherence to health regimens, and overall quality of life for individuals managing chronic conditions.

Reference

Giunti G. 3MD for Chronic Conditions, a Model for Motivational mHealth Design: Embedded Case Study. *JMIR Serious Games.* 2018;6(3):e11631. https://doi.org/10.2196/11631.

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