Page 208 - Hospital Authority Convention 2018

Service Enhancement Presentations
HOSPITAL AUTHORITY CONVENTION 2018

F6.1 Enhancing Partnership with Patients and Community 10:45 Room 421

HApi Journey: An Obstetric App to Enhance Partnership with Pregnant Women
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Chan LW , Tsang SL , Sing C , Cheung TH 4
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Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, United Christian Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen
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Elizabeth Hospital, Maternity Department, Matilda International Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of
Wales Hospital, Hong Kong
Introduction
Pregnancy is a joyful, yet stressful, journey. Every year, thousands of women drive through similar paths, some with undue
concerns, some with various individual needs arise in various stages. Obstetric units have a long-standing history of offering
antenatal classes to prepare them, but many of them cannot attend. We believe that an app can provide needed information
and useful tools readily accessible to them in a timely manner. Empowered pregnant women are more likely to enjoy a Happy
(HApi) Journey with knowledge of pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium.
ObjectiveTo develop a comprehensive and user-friendly obstetric app.

Methodology
After obtaining an endorsement in the Service Management Meeting to empower pregnant women through internet, a
working group was formed in July 2013. Members include obstetricians and midwives of eight Hospital Authority (HA) birthing
hospitals, dieticians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and principal of the School of Midwifery. The group has been
receiving secretarial, administrative and IT support from HA Head Office too.
In July 2014, a smartphone app offering readily accessible information, useful tools and personal records was believed to
be more desirable than a website. With help from the Centre for Communication and Public Opinion Survey, The Chinese
University of Hong Kong, a focus group forum was held in December 2014 to collect valuable inputs for brainstorming the
design.
Numerous software developers were invited to present their designs in May 2015. In July 2015, the working group
consolidated contents of daily message covering nutrition, exercise, screening procedures, infection, pregnancy disorders,
delivery-related issues and breastfeeding. In October 2015, a developer was selected to collaborate with the group to
optimise art design, interface, information display and create useful tools such as photos of the labour ward of the booked
hospital, follow-up reminders, hospital bag checklist, uterine contraction timer, blood glucose and blood pressure monitoring.

Results
After several user acceptance tests, the app named HApi Journey was launched on 22 February 2017. This was the first
clinical educational app developed by HA and it had received wide media coverage. Posters and leaflets were used to
promote downloading. There are over 26,000 downloads in the first nine months. A focus group discussion was held in
August 2017 to solicit user feedback to facilitate any future enhancement.

Tuesday, 8 May 2018

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