Development, implementation, and assessment of a mobile application for remote care and consultation for newborns and infants: A study protocol

Several mobile applications have been commercially designed in Iran to educate parents. The main weaknesses of these existing apps include the lack of scientifically-based content, the absence of references for most of the information, the lack of precise and scientific methodologies for their design and evaluation, the absence or inconsistency of specialized consultations by professional healthcare providers, the lack of a reminder and alert system for unfavorable growth or development conditions, and the absence of a guidance system for emergencies. A mixed-methods approach will be used to develop the mobile application for infant and newborn care and assess its acceptability and usability. The development process will adhere to the ADDIE model. A widely recognized instructional design frame work which consists of 5 phases: Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation. Previous studies emphasize the effective role of digital health technologies in enhancing access to healthcare services and improving health outcomes including: Enhancing Parental Awareness and Performance; Early Identification of Developmental Issues; Improving Access to Specialized Services; Reducing Emergency and Hospital Visits; and Security. Despite the mentioned benefits, challenges exist in the use of health applications. For example, some parents may hesitate to use these tools due to unfamiliarity with technology or privacy concerns. Additionally, there is a need for further evaluations to determine the long-term effectiveness of these apps.