[Project to Increase the Usage Rate of iCKD Application Mobile Healthcare on Chronic Kidney Disease Patients].

Background & Problems: In recent years, improved mobile capacities and mobile-device computing capabilities as well as a maturing mobile-communications infrastructure have combined to promote the development and widespread use of mobile healthcare applications. Mobile healthcare supports the self-management of chronic diseases, enhances healthcare quality, and reduces medical costs. Due to the low rate of iCKD usage in our hospital, we set up a project team that was tasked to improve the rate of iCKD usage among chronic disease patients.

Purpose: To improve the iCKD usage rate from the current 5.8% to 9.3%.

Resolutions: Questionnaire-based survey results indicated that the main reasons for the low iCKD usage rate in our hospital were: negative attitudes toward iCKD as a helpful tool in disease management, lack of awareness of the importance of using iCKD, unfamiliarity with how to operate smartphone applications, low numbers of iCKD physician referrals for patients, and slow Internet speeds. The improvement strategy included providing instructions on iCKD use, organizing a practical learning program, designing and printing a mobile healthcare referral form, and holding related events.

Results: The rate of iCKD usage increased to 21.3% after the intervention.

Conclusions: The project team successfully increased the iCKD usage rate by getting more patients involved in mobile healthcare, which is expected to have a positive impact on the success of patient self-management.