This poster considered how young people living with long-term conditions, alongside family members and health professionals, can help shape mobile applications intended to support everyday health care.
Young people often use mobile technology in daily life, but the archive identified a need for more research that involves them directly in the design and testing of health applications. The work focused on the transition towards greater independence in managing a condition, while recognising that support from family and professionals remains important.
The project brought together young people with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, family members, clinicians, researchers and technology specialists. Its work included agreeing priorities, reviewing relevant evidence and preparing a specification for a prototype application.
What the work explored
A national group of children and young people with juvenile idiopathic arthritis contributed ideas about the information and practical tools they would value in a condition-specific application. The project then used those contributions alongside input from parents and health professionals to inform the next design stage.
The poster documented progress towards a prototype that could be tested with young people. Its central learning was the value of involving young people and families throughout the process, rather than treating their experience as an addition at the end.
Archive context
This is a concise editorial record of a 2014 conference poster. It reflects the project description available at the time and is retained as an example of public involvement in the development of health technology.