Supporting the viability of e-health services with pattern-based business model design: The case of an e-mental health app for maternal depression

Abstract

Designing viable business models for e-health services is not trivial as people in charge of business model design often lack the respective knowledge and experience. E-health business model design patterns should support inexperienced business model designers as they document existing business model logics of the e-health domain for reuse. This paper aims at understanding how exactly a pattern-based business model design supports the viability of e-health business models by applying the e-health business model design patterns to a specific e-health service – an e-mental health app for maternal depression. A focus group workshop reveals that these design patterns sensitize the participants to the viability aspects of the business model and thereby help to enhance its viability.