The PROMISE_DS project investigated how patients can effectively use a mobile application that delivers personalized genetic health information. Central to the study was the concept of eHealth literacy, defined as the ability to search, understand, evaluate, and apply electronic health information. The research team identified that eHealth literacy, technology acceptance, and usability are critical prerequisites for successful adoption of the PROMISE app. To capture these dimensions, the team performed a literature review and developed a set of three personas that represent typical users of the application. These personas were based on observations in a cardiomyopathy clinic and included demographic, health, and technology‑usage characteristics, as well as expectations regarding the app’s functionality.

For the evaluation, the Department of Medical Informatics at Friedrich‑Alexander University Erlangen‑Nürnberg (FAU) designed a questionnaire framework that drew on established instruments such as those by Rogausch et al. and Halwas, Griebel, and Hübner. The questionnaire was administered at two time points: before and after patients used the PROMISE app. Nineteen patients completed both surveys. Most participants had prior experience with health apps, yet ten had never used a health‑related application. Self‑reported knowledge of genetic personalized medicine was generally low, particularly concerning pharmacogenomics. Participants expressed a strong preference for secure storage of genetic data and highlighted the importance of privacy and data protection. Their attitudes toward the PROMISE app were also recorded, providing insight into perceived usefulness and ease of use.

Data from the surveys were anonymized and supplied to the FAU team in Microsoft Excel format. Descriptive statistical analysis was carried out using IBM SPSS, allowing the researchers to quantify changes in perceived usefulness, ease of use, and overall acceptance of the app. The analysis revealed modest improvements in perceived usefulness after app usage, while ease of use remained high throughout. These findings support the hypothesis that a well‑designed, user‑friendly interface can enhance patient engagement with personalized genetic information.

The project was carried out in close collaboration with the University Hospital Heidelberg, which supplied the patient cohort, conducted the recruitment, and administered the questionnaires. Other partners included the University of Saarland (UdS), CISPA, Backes:SRT GmbH, and CeGaT GmbH. The project began in January 2016 and was originally scheduled to conclude on 31 December 2018. Delays in patient recruitment and technical issues extended the timeline by six months, with the final deadline set to 30 June 2019. The work was organized into 33 work packages across seven thematic areas, with responsibilities shifting between partners; for example, the cloud platform and application tasks moved from UdS to FAU in September 2016.

Throughout the project, the FAU team contributed to several key work packages: TP1 AP1 focused on social acceptance factors such as literacy; TP2 AP1 involved application specification and persona development; TP6 AP1 and AP3 dealt with the evaluation concept and data analysis; and TP7 AP4 encompassed the design, execution, and interpretation of the patient study. The collaborative effort ensured that the PROMISE app was evaluated rigorously, with a strong emphasis on user experience, data security, and the practical integration of genetic information into routine patient care.