Empowering Informal Caregivers With the RemindMe App for Pressure Injury Prevention
Fazila Aloweni, Nanthakumahrie Gunasegaran, Vincent S.H. Chan, Desmond Y.R. Chong, Truls Østbye, Su-Fee Lim, Kee C.E. SiowOBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the usability of RemindMe, a tablet-based application designed to assist informal caregivers in repositioning patients with or at risk of pressure injuries during hospitalization.
METHODS:
This cross-sectional study was conducted in a single acute-tertiary care hospital. Informal caregivers, including family members or foreign domestic helpers of patients with limited mobility, were recruited. Caregivers received a tablet equipped with the RemindMe application, which provided 2-hourly repositioning reminders from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm for up to 4 days. The app featured an audible alarm to signal repositioning times and a pictorial guide highlighting high-risk pressure areas. Utilization information was collected from the app’s log report. Caregivers’ feedback on the app’s usefulness and ease of use on a Likert scale, and suggestions for improvements were gathered via an open-ended survey and analyzed using content analysis.
RESULTS:
A total of 40 informal caregivers were recruited, with 1 dropout. Of the 39 remaining, 37 (93%) were foreign domestic helpers. The mean age was 38 years (SD=9.3). The app utilization rate was 16.7% to 61.1%. Twelve caregivers (30%) found the RemindMe app extremely useful, and 14 (35%) found it easy to use. All caregivers found the pictorial guide clear and easy to follow. Suggestions included adding educational content on bed exercises, oral suctioning, tracheostomy, and catheter care. Two caregivers recommended a larger screen and multilingual support.
CONCLUSIONS:
The RemindMe app was well received by caregivers of patients with limited mobility, who found it useful and easy to use. Adding educational content, multilingual support, and larger screen options may enhance usability and engagement.