McClure JB, Heffner J, Hohl S, Klasnja P, Catz SL. (2017). Design considerations for mHealth programs targeting smokers not yet ready to quit: Results of a sequential mixed-methods study. JMIR mHealth and uHealth. 5(3): e31. doi: 10.2196/mhealth.6845
Researchers conducted a two-stage study of the preferences for mHealth applications (apps) of smokers who are not ready to quit. In Stage 1, 15 smokers were interviewed about their smoking history, smartphone use, and preferences for the design and content of mHealth apps, particularly to support smoking cessation. In Stage 2, a new set of 116 smokers were recruited using online advertisements and a national online research portal to complete assessments of their smoking history, smartphone and app use, and their interest in using mHealth apps for smoking cessation. Across both stages, participants reported being interested in using an mHealth app to help them quit (75% in survey study) or help them cut back (88% in survey study). Features of interest included the ability to track their behaviors and costs associated with smoking, address triggers for smoking, and find social support and coaching to build self-efficacy and accountability. Almost half of participants in the stage 2 survey were interested apps to help them decide how to quit (47%) and manage nicotine withdrawal (53%). Participants were not interested in sharing progress over media.