Do User Requirements of mHealth Devices Have Differences for Gender and Age?

Abstract

The present article focuses on how mHealth tools for medical devices like hearing aids or blood glucose meters for diabetics should be designed. Overall, 125 participants aged between 18 and 79 years participated in an online survey. The results of the study show that on average the participants were partly willing to have the use of a medical device explained exclusively by a mHealth app instead of medical professionals. Interestingly, older participants were significantly more positive regarding mHealth tools than younger participants. The findings of the presented exploratory study can help to understand customers’ needs. These findings have the potential to support the design and development of more user-friendly apps and other digital products.