Insights Beyond Functionality: Empowering Digital Mental Health User Experiences Through Participatory Engagement and Evaluation (Preprint)
Authors: Ngabo-Woods Harold 
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

The AMGR-I pilot platform integrates community, e-learning, and care sub-platforms to provide a holistic approach to mental health intervention. However, user experience related challenges play a significant part in the user-technology interactions. However, design processes have not always kept up with the evolving needs of users in terms of technology interactions. Engaging the targeted audience in the design process through participatory design, both user-centred design and uptake of these technologies can be improved effectively.

OBJECTIVE

This paper presents the design, structure and evaluation through participatory design of an integrated mental health intervention platform (AMGR-I). It emphasizes the importance of user-centred design and user engagement in addressing the evolving needs of users in health technology interventions and interactions at earlier stages of design, specifically focusing on individuals with mental health disorders.

METHODS

The study was conducted in a Spanish university setting leveraging a population of 45 architecture, engineering, ergonomics and design students. A mixed-method approach combining participatory design with usability testing was employed to offer comprehensive insights into the design, functionality, and user experience of the platform. Participatory design methods were used, including; (1) workshops activities facilitated by experienced collaborating instructors and researchers from both academia and industry which included; (1) brainstorming sessions, (2) design thinking, (3) user journey mapping, (4) prototyping, and (5) iterative feedback loops. The employed methods facilitated the co-creation process and visualisation of design ideas.

RESULTS

The participatory design study conducted among 45 university students for the AMGR-I digital mental health care platform yielded valuable insights into the preferences, needs, and concerns of potential users. The employed methods facilitated the co-creation process and visualisation of design ideas. 138 distinct ideas were generated during the brainstorming sessions. Analysis based on average score identified top platform design performance in content quality, usability and accessibility in contrast to lower satisfaction in gamification, immersiveness, data privacy and security. The usability, interaction and user experience of the platform scored highly but not excellently. The most recurrent themes were enhancing user privacy, incorporating personalised therapeutic content, immersion, and gamifying certain aspects of the platform to improve engagement. General interest in AI-driven therapy with human oversight was observed. The results inspired futures directions of research.

CONCLUSIONS

In general, this paper indicates that both designers, patients, practitioners and service providers can greatly benefit from participatory design during the development of digital mental health care platforms. It provided valuable insights into evaluating the design and user experience contributing to the development of effective digital health support interventions, their uptake and improved health outcomes.