Motivational design techniques to increase adherence to a telemonitoring therapy a study with adolescent pectus patients

The most common surgery for pectus patients is associated with severe acute and persistent postoperative pain. It is, therefore, important that patients are adequately monitored after their surgery to prevent the chronification of pain. This paper provides a deeper understanding of young adolescents when they are asked to use a telemonitoring platform for their postoperative follow-up. Motivational design techniques, such as gamification mechanics, were integrated into 17 alternative designs and evaluated via a mixed-method approach with eight pectus patients and nine parents. The quantitative scoring of all 17 designs on a seven-point Likert scale showed that participants appreciated the designs and were motivated to adhere to their telemonitoring therapy when adequately supported by the platform. A thematic analysis of in-depth interviews conducted in the context of their homes confirmed that pectus patients had the will to be adherent, were invested in their own wellbeing, appreciated technical feedback, valued their privacy, and requested a professional platform to support them in their daily telemonitoring activities.status: publishe