Feasibility and Usability of a Digital Perinatal Navigator for High-Risk Pregnancies: Mixed Methods Study.
9 affiliations
- 1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.
- 2Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany.
- 3Institute for Communication and Assessment Research, Heidelberg, Germany.
- 4Institute Women's Health GmbH, Tübingen, Germany.
- 5Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, AL, Germany.
- 6Department of Gynecology, University Hospital Halle, Halle, Germany.
- 7Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Joseph's Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- 8Department of Obstetrics, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
- 9Department of Obstetrics and Perinatal Medicine, University Hospital Halle, Halle, Germany.
Abstract
Background
The journey to parenthood involves significant physical, emotional, and psychosocial changes. Mental health challenges impact both maternal and fetal health, potentially leading to obstetric complications and developmental risks for children. Access to needed perinatal support is often limited due to individual and structural barriers. Digital health solutions can offer opportunities to provide low-threshold, personalized, and scalable support. We developed a digital navigator offering personalized guidance and connecting users to relevant support services with interactive follow-ups to self-assess their well-being. However, evidence regarding the feasibility of digital solutions in high-risk patients is limited.Objective
This study aimed to assess the feasibility and usability of a digital perinatal navigator app designed to provide personalized support and connect individuals with high-risk pregnancies to relevant health and social services.Methods
Conducted at University Women's Hospital Heidelberg, the study used convenience sampling for a 2-week app test phase. A convergent mixed methods design integrated qualitative interviews (n=30) with psychometric surveys (n=35). Analyses included thematic analysis of interviews, descriptive statistics, 2-tailed paired t tests, and Pearson correlations. Results were triangulated at the end to better understand barriers to use.Results
Participants (median age 33 years; median gestational age 30 weeks) reported moderate to high rates of stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Usability ratings were excellent (median System Usability Scale [SUS] score 80, IQR 17.5; median mHealth App Usability Questionnaire [MAUQ] score 111, IQR 28). Knowledge of health service providers increased significantly (mean +1.2 points; P<.01), with modest improvements in use. Qualitative analysis revealed key success factors such as intuitive structure, trustworthy medical content, and personalized information. Technical disruptions, navigation challenges, limited personalization, and incomplete regional integration of health care services were reported as barriers.Conclusions
The results indicate high feasibility and usability for our digital navigator in this high-risk population. The identified barriers are to be considered in the further development of the app and other perinatal digital care programs.
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BibTeX
@article{foerstel2026feasibility,
title = {{Feasibility and Usability of a Digital Perinatal Navigator for High-Risk Pregnancies: Mixed Methods Study.}},
author = {Michelle Foerstel and Kristina Killinger and Mitho Mueller and Verena Engel and Katrin Schlobohm and Anna Sophie Scholz and Maren Goetz and Armin Bauer and Markus Wallwiener and Michael Abou-Dakn and Dorothea Scholle and Ekkehard Schleussner and Stephanie Wallwiener},
journal = {Journal of medical Internet research},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.2196/88015},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42849035},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Feasibility and Usability of a Digital Perinatal Navigator for High-Risk Pregnancies: Mixed Methods Study.
AU - Michelle Foerstel
AU - Kristina Killinger
AU - Mitho Mueller
AU - Verena Engel
AU - Katrin Schlobohm
AU - Anna Sophie Scholz
AU - Maren Goetz
AU - Armin Bauer
AU - Markus Wallwiener
AU - Michael Abou-Dakn
AU - Dorothea Scholle
AU - Ekkehard Schleussner
AU - Stephanie Wallwiener
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/08
JO - Journal of medical Internet research
DO - 10.2196/88015
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42849035
AB - Background The journey to parenthood involves significant physical, emotional, and psychosocial changes. Mental health challenges impact both maternal and fetal health, potentially leading to obstetric complications and developmental risks for children. Access to needed perinatal support is often limited due to individual and structural barriers. Digital health solutions can offer opportunities to provide low-threshold, personalized, and scalable support. We developed a digital navigator offering personalized guidance and connecting users to relevant support services with interactive follow-ups to self-assess their well-being. However, evidence regarding the feasibility of digital solutions in high-risk patients is limited.Objective This study aimed to assess the feasibility and usability of a digital perinatal navigator app designed to provide personalized support and connect individuals with high-risk pregnancies to relevant health and social services.Methods Conducted at University Women's Hospital Heidelberg, the study used convenience sampling for a 2-week app test phase. A convergent mixed methods design integrated qualitative interviews (n=30) with psychometric surveys (n=35). Analyses included thematic analysis of interviews, descriptive statistics, 2-tailed paired t tests, and Pearson correlations. Results were triangulated at the end to better understand barriers to use.Results Participants (median age 33 years; median gestational age 30 weeks) reported moderate to high rates of stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Usability ratings were excellent (median System Usability Scale [SUS] score 80, IQR 17.5; median mHealth App Usability Questionnaire [MAUQ] score 111, IQR 28). Knowledge of health service providers increased significantly (mean +1.2 points; P<.01), with modest improvements in use. Qualitative analysis revealed key success factors such as intuitive structure, trustworthy medical content, and personalized information. Technical disruptions, navigation challenges, limited personalization, and incomplete regional integration of health care services were reported as barriers.Conclusions The results indicate high feasibility and usability for our digital navigator in this high-risk population. The identified barriers are to be considered in the further development of the app and other perinatal digital care programs.
SN - 1439-4456
SN - 1438-8871
ER -