Smart technology facilitated patient-centered venous thromboembolism management: A mixed-methods study of the digital feasibility

Objective Venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains a major preventable cause of global mortality. Digital health tools may facilitate patient self-management and adherence to treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a mobile VTE application (mVTEA) for VTE management. Methods This pilot study employed a mixed-methods design, integrating a quantitative quasi-experimental evaluation with qualitative focus groups in patients using the mVTEA. From August 25, 2023 to May 10, 2024, the mVTEA was developed, incorporating patient-centered three-dimensional (3D) visualization health records, dynamic risk monitoring, and medication management support modules. The quantitative evaluation was performed 1 month after enrolment via the Chinese version of the User Version of the Mobile Application Rating Scale (C-uMARS) for design quality and the Chinese version of the mHealth App Usability Questionnaire (C-MAUQ) for usability. Qualitative data were collected via four age- and education-stratified focus groups with mVTEA users, focusing on exploring patients’ illness perceptions and in-depth adoption experiences to identify optimization priorities. Results Among the 43 patients who completed the 1-month follow-up, 37 (86%) provided positive feedback on the use of digital 3D health records. The mVTEA received favorable average quality (3.81±0.81) and usability (1.92±0.81) scores in the quantitative evaluation. Qualitative analysis revealed significant knowledge gaps among VTE patients and a strong desire for authoritative information. The participants expressed strong appreciation for the core functionalities of the mVTEA and desired real-time doctor–patient communication capabilities and a reliable knowledge base. Furthermore, they demonstrated a willingness to pay for comprehensive, mVTEA-enabled healthcare services. Conclusions In this feasibility study, the mVTEA demonstrated robust quality and usability among patients with or at high risk for VTE. Focus groups confirmed positive user feedback and identified specific optimization needs, collectively supporting the feasibility of mVTEA as a VTE management tool. This provides foundational evidence for future research to evaluate its impact on clinical outcomes.