An evaluation of the My PICU Story Mobile Application

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    An evaluation of the acceptability, usability and usefulness of the My PICU Story mobile application, and its impact on emotional and psychological wellbeing, for children and families admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.

  • IRAS ID

    328533

  • Contact name

    Nazima Pathan

  • Contact email

    np409@medschl.cam.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 0 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    This pilot study will evaluate the new mobile application, My PICU Story, which has been created to support children and their families during and after admission to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). The app contains a digital diary, information section and support resources to support families on their PICU journey.

    During this study, families admitted to PICU will be asked to download the application on their mobile phones, and shown how to use it. They will then be offered questionnaires about their experience of the app before they are discharged from hospital, and again at 4 months after their discharge from hospital. They will be able to continue using the app after they are discharged from hospital. A questionnaire will also be given to members of staff working on PICU to evaluate their views on the My PICU Story mobile application.

    The results of the questionnaires will be recorded anonymously and will be analysed by the members of the research team to assess the acceptability, usability and usefulness of the mobile application, as well as its impact on family emotional wellbeing, and will be used to write up a formal report of the study.

  • REC name

    South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    25/SW/0072

  • Date of REC Opinion

    24 Jul 2025

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion