Development of weCope, a mobile app for illness self-management in schizophrenia

ABSTRACT

Abstract Objective To describe the development of weCope, a Portuguese mobile app for people with schizophrenia. Methods The development of weCope followed 4 stages I-102 people with psychotic disorders completed an online questionnaire; II-a multidisciplinary focus group was conducted among five mental health professionals; III-we developed the app; IV-9 participants used weCope during 8 weeks to assess its efficiency. Results weCope targets coping with voices, problem solving, goals setting and stress management, and results indicated that weCope improved symptoms, sense of recovery and personal and social functioning; 59% of the participants were willing to download an application for illness self-management; professionals revealed some concerns about mHealth but enhanced the high importance to develop these apps; usability testing revealed that 89% considered weCope useful for illness self-management. However, the more years with mental illness, the less importance is given to a mobile application for this purpose. Discussion weCope was developed through a comprehensive development process and may contribute to a subjective perception of the patient's better well-being and health condition.