Supporting mental well-being of healthcare workers using a mobile app: A mixed-methods feasibility study

by Mehmet Yildirim, Timothy Carter, Holly Blake

Poor mental well-being is common among healthcare workers, affecting individual health, patient safety, and organisational performance. Mobile app-based self-care interventions are promising due to their accessibility, low cost, and ease of use. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of a self-monitoring mobile app called MYARKEO, to improve mental well-being among healthcare workers and healthcare trainees in the United Kingdom (UK). The study evaluated recruitment and retention rates, variability of key outcomes to inform a future randomised controlled trial (RCT), intervention engagement, barriers and facilitators to engagement, and potential refinements to the mobile app. A mixed-method feasibility RCT was conducted with two groups: an intervention group using MYARKEO to monitor mental well-being over 6 weeks, and a non-intervention control group. Data were collected at baseline and post-intervention and included the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS), the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and the mHealth App Usability Questionnaire (MAUQ). Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews (n = 13) and analysed using thematic analysis. Forty-nine participants (32 workers, 17 trainees; aged 18–60+) were included in the trial, with a 20.5% dropout rate. Daily app usage averaged 64.5%. Participants frequently monitored mood, sleep, food, and exercise. Interviews identified themes of “Usefulness,” “Enablers of engagement,” “Barriers to engagement,” and “Suggested intervention improvements.” This study demonstrates the feasibility of using a mobile app to monitor and promote mental well-being among healthcare workers and trainees. While app engagement was promising, challenges were identified, highlighting the need for refinements to the app’s content, interface, and design for future trials.