Dual-Purposed NICU mHealth Support: A Multi-Stakeholder Study in Switzerland Combining Utilitarian and Hedonic Design Principles
Author(s)
Do Vale Anes Joao Daniel
HEG Arc, HES-SO // University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland, University of Neuchâtel
Rio, Laura
HE Arc Santé, HES-SO // University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland
Pfister, Riccardo
Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève
HEG Arc, HES-SO // University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland
Publisher
New York, NY, USA : Association for Computing Machinery
Date issued
October 3, 2026
Number of pages
9
Serie
NordiCHI '26 Adjunct
Subjects
User-centered design mHealth Prematurity Human-centered computing
Abstract
Preterm infants usually require hospitalization in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which leaves parents stressed and anxious. In Switzerland, digital support for these parents is insufficient, and applications developed abroad are poorly adapted to the local context. This paper presents a user-centered design study in a Swiss NICU, where we iterated on two application prototypes with parents and healthcare professionals (HPs). We conducted interviews and think-aloud sessions with parents (n = 18) and HPs (n = 17), followed by subsequent in-depth interviews with parents (n = 10). Initial findings suggest that intended use varies by time and situation: it is most frequent during hospitalization and becomes occasional at home, shifting between emergency and routine moments. We translate these insights into five design principles: focused on sense-making, shared awareness, context-sensitive support, parental self-efficacy, and gradual disengagement.
Alternative title
Dual-Purposed NICU mHealth Support
Event name
14th Nordic Conference on Human-Computer Interaction (NordiCHI 2026)
Location
Vaasa, Finland
Project(s)
Dionysus
Later version
https://doi.org/10.1145/3821402.3830111
Publication type
conference proceedings
File(s)