title: Mobile application as a prenatal education and engagement tool: A randomized controlled pilot.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Research has shown that mobile applications provide a powerful alternative to traditional paper diaries; however, little data exists in comparing apps to the traditional mode of paper as a patient education and engagement tool in the clinical setting. This study was designed to compare the effectiveness of a mobile app versus a spiral-notebook guide throughout prenatal care.
  
  
  METHODS
  This randomized (n=173) controlled pilot was conducted at an East Coast community hospital. Chi-square and repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to test intervention effects in the sample of 127 pregnant mothers who completed their prenatal care in the healthcare system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients who were distributed the mobile application used the tool to record information about pregnancy more frequently (p=.04) and developed greater patient activation (p=.02) than patients who were distributed notebooks. No difference was detected on interpersonal clinical communication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A mobile application successfully activated a patient population in which self-management is a critical factor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that mobile apps can prompt greater use and result in more activated patients. Findings may be translated to other patient populations who receive recurring care for chronic disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, USA. Electronic address: Christian.ledford@usuhs.edu.
authors.forename: Christy J W
authors.initials: CJW
authors.lastname: Ledford
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, USA.
authors.forename: Mollie Rose
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Canzona
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Studies, Texas State University, San Marcos, USA.
authors.forename: Lauren A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Cafferty
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Fort Belvoir, USA.
authors.forename: Joshua A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hodge
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D040421:Cell Phone; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D063731:Mobile Applications; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D064186:Prenatal Education / Q000379:methods*; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D060145:Text Messaging
keywords: Mobile health; Patient activation; Patient-provider communication; Prenatal interpersonal processes of care