Introduction to the Compass App
In a significant move towards improving public health, the Miroma Project Factory (MPF) has developed an innovative 12-week health program aimed at Australians at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. This initiative is particularly relevant given that approximately 1 million Australian adults are living with Type 2 diabetes, and over 2 million people are pre-diabetic or at high risk of developing the disease.
Development of the Compass App
The Compass app was created through an extensive co-design process involving target users. The goal was to create a game-like experience without being a traditional game. The app was designed to be strongly based on Australian iconography, incorporating elements that resonate with local culture. It aims to provide users with valuable information and learning as a key deliverable, while also being engaging, accessible, and trustworthy.
Users were encouraged to see their progress as a ‘journey’ and to take on challenges that demonstrate their resilience. This approach not only increases their knowledge but also serves as a foundation for changing their behavior.
Behavioural Change Techniques
As leaders in behavioural change, MPF ensured that Compass used proven techniques and scientifically validated data to help users increase their ‘health literacy’ and adopt healthier habits around physical activity and eating. Each day of each week, there were missions represented as stepping stones on the journey, which users needed to complete.
Glen Wong, Head of Production at MPF, highlighted the collaborative nature of the project, stating, “From the start, it was a real partnership to achieve a common goal. They were really receptive to our ideas, actively participated in the development of the app and gave us great feedback. We’re thrilled with the results and can see how this can be repurposed in many different ways for various kinds of good.”
Integration of Health Tracking
The app uses the devices’ inbuilt health tracker, including wearables, to record a user’s step count in order to track their activity and display progress throughout the program. This integration allows users to monitor their physical activity effectively.
Compass users were encouraged to log their mood each day and undertake targeted improvements related to their levels of physical activity, nutrition, and diet, as well as increase their health literacy and general health awareness. These activities were represented back to the users in playful graphs, allowing them to see how they progressed from a human perspective—such as their steps being represented as a journey around Australia.
Personalized Adjustments
Based on their identified activities, Compass provided users with options to adjust their actions using cognitive behavioural change techniques. This approach helped the app have a stronger effect on people and developed more long-lasting change.
Trial Results and Feedback
The app was part of a closed trial that included over 300 users. Post-trial feedback was incredibly positive about the app, with all users feeling that the encouragement and gamified nature increased their compliance, enjoyment, and participation.
Conclusion
The Compass app represents a groundbreaking effort in leveraging technology to promote healthier lifestyles among Australians at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Through its innovative design and use of proven behavioural change techniques, the app offers a promising solution to a growing public health concern. With the potential for future repurposing, the Compass app could serve as a model for similar initiatives across various health domains.
