title: Development of a Weight Loss Mobile App Linked With an Accelerometer for Use in the Clinic: Usability, Acceptability, and Early Testing of its Impact on the Patient-Doctor Relationship.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although complications of obesity are well acknowledged and managed by clinicians, management of obesity itself is often difficult, which leads to its underdiagnosis and undertreatment in hospital settings. However, tools that could improve the management of obesity, including self-monitoring, engagement with a social network, and open channels of communication between the patient and doctor, are limited in a clinic-based setting.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of our study was to evaluate the usability and acceptability of a newly developed mobile app linked with an accelerometer and its early effects on patient-doctor relationships.
  
  
  METHODS
  From September 2013 to February 2014, we developed a mobile app linked with an accelerometer as a supportive tool for a clinic-based weight loss program. The app used information from electronic health records and delivered tailored educational material. Personal goal setting, as well as monitoring of weight changes and physical activity combined with feedback, are key features of the app. We also incorporated an interactive message board for patients and doctors. During the period of March 2014 to May 2014, we tested our mobile app for 1 month in participants in a hospital clinic setting. We assessed the app's usability and acceptability, as well as the patient-doctor relationship, via questionnaires and analysis of app usage data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We recruited 30 individuals (18 male and 12 female) for the study. The median number of log-ins per day was 1.21, with the most frequently requested item being setting goals, followed by track physical activities and view personal health status. Scales of the depth of the patient-doctor relationship decreased from 27.6 (SD 4.8) to 25.1 (SD 4.5) by a Wilcoxon signed rank test (P=.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A mobile phone app linked with an accelerometer for a clinic-based weight loss program is useful and acceptable for weight management but exhibited less favorable early effects on patient-doctor relationships.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic Of Korea.
authors.forename: Seryung
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8303-1109
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Choo
authors.forename: Ju Young
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6018-3337
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Se Young
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9946-8807
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2651-0338
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jeong Eun
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8698-9133
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jong Soo
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9248-9998
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Sohye
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0880-3580
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jeong Hyun
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7923-0797
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jeehye
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3140-1440
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Yongseok
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7039-2092
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Dongouk
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2905-9068
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Steve
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9256-7914
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Steinhubl
keywords: electronic health record; mobile apps; physician-patient relations; weight reduction programs