Mobile Health Apps on COVID-19 Launched in the Early Days of the Pandemic: Content Analysis and Review

Background Mobile health (mHealth) app use is a major concern because of the possible dissemination of misinformation that could harm the users. Particularly, it can be difficult for health care professionals to recommend a suitable app for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) education and self-monitoring purposes. Objective This study aims to analyze and evaluate the contents as well as features of COVID-19 mobile apps. The findings are instrumental in helping health care professionals to identify suitable mobile apps for COVID-19 self-monitoring and education. The results of the mobile apps’ assessment could potentially help mobile app developers improve or modify their existing mobile app designs to achieve optimal outcomes. Methods The search for the mHealth apps available in the android-based Play Store and the iOS-based App Store was conducted between April 18 and May 5, 2020. The region of the App Store where we performed the search was the United States, and a virtual private network app was used to locate and access COVID-19 mobile apps from all countries on the Google Play Store. The inclusion criteria were apps that are related to COVID-19 with no restriction in language type. The basic features assessment criteria used for comparison were the requirement for free subscription, internet connection, education or advisory content, size of the app, ability to export data, and automated data entry. The functionality of the apps was assessed according to knowledge (information on COVID-19), tracing or mapping of COVID-19 cases, home monitoring surveillance, online consultation with a health authority, and official apps run by health authorities. Results Of the 223 COVID-19–related mobile apps, only 30 (19.9%) found in the App Store and 28 (44.4%) in the Play Store matched the inclusion criteria. In the basic features assessment, most App Store (10/30, 33.3%) and Play Store (10/28, 35.7%) apps scored 4 out of 7 points. Meanwhile, the outcome of the functionality assessment for most App Store apps (13/30, 43.3%) was a score of 3 compared to android-based apps (10/28, 35.7%), which scored 2 (out of the maximum 5 points). Evaluation of the basic functions showed that 75.0% (n=36) of the 48 included mobile apps do not require a subscription, 56.3% (n=27) provide symptom advice, and 41.7% (n=20) have educational content. In terms of the specific functions, more than half of the included mobile apps are official mobile apps maintained by a health authority for COVID-19 information provision. Around 37.5% (n=18) and 31.3% (n=15) of the mobile apps have tracing or mapping and home monitoring surveillance functions, respectively, with only 17% (n=8) of the mobile apps equipped with an online consultation function. Conclusions Most iOS-based apps incorporate infographic mapping of COVID-19 cases, while most android-based apps incorporate home monitoring surveillance features instead of providing focused educational content on COVID-19. It is important to evaluate the contents and features of COVID-19 mobile apps to guide users in choosing a suitable mobile app based on their requirements.

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Mobile Health Apps on COVID-19 Launched in the Early Days of the Pandemic: Content Analysis and Review (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.19796 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Long Chiau Ming ◽

Noorazrina Untong ◽

Nur Amalina Aliudin ◽

Norliza Osili ◽

Nurolaini Kifli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Mobile Apps ◽

Home Monitoring ◽

Mobile App ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Self Monitoring ◽

App Store ◽

Online Consultation ◽

Basic Features

BACKGROUND Mobile health (mHealth) app use is a major concern because of the possible dissemination of misinformation that could harm the users. Particularly, it can be difficult for health care professionals to recommend a suitable app for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) education and self-monitoring purposes. OBJECTIVE This study aims to analyze and evaluate the contents as well as features of COVID-19 mobile apps. The findings are instrumental in helping health care professionals to identify suitable mobile apps for COVID-19 self-monitoring and education. The results of the mobile apps’ assessment could potentially help mobile app developers improve or modify their existing mobile app designs to achieve optimal outcomes. METHODS The search for the mHealth apps available in the android-based Play Store and the iOS-based App Store was conducted between April 18 and May 5, 2020. The region of the App Store where we performed the search was the United States, and a virtual private network app was used to locate and access COVID-19 mobile apps from all countries on the Google Play Store. The inclusion criteria were apps that are related to COVID-19 with no restriction in language type. The basic features assessment criteria used for comparison were the requirement for free subscription, internet connection, education or advisory content, size of the app, ability to export data, and automated data entry. The functionality of the apps was assessed according to knowledge (information on COVID-19), tracing or mapping of COVID-19 cases, home monitoring surveillance, online consultation with a health authority, and official apps run by health authorities. RESULTS Of the 223 COVID-19–related mobile apps, only 30 (19.9%) found in the App Store and 28 (44.4%) in the Play Store matched the inclusion criteria. In the basic features assessment, most App Store (10/30, 33.3%) and Play Store (10/28, 35.7%) apps scored 4 out of 7 points. Meanwhile, the outcome of the functionality assessment for most App Store apps (13/30, 43.3%) was a score of 3 compared to android-based apps (10/28, 35.7%), which scored 2 (out of the maximum 5 points). Evaluation of the basic functions showed that 75.0% (n=36) of the 48 included mobile apps do not require a subscription, 56.3% (n=27) provide symptom advice, and 41.7% (n=20) have educational content. In terms of the specific functions, more than half of the included mobile apps are official mobile apps maintained by a health authority for COVID-19 information provision. Around 37.5% (n=18) and 31.3% (n=15) of the mobile apps have tracing or mapping and home monitoring surveillance functions, respectively, with only 17% (n=8) of the mobile apps equipped with an online consultation function. CONCLUSIONS Most iOS-based apps incorporate infographic mapping of COVID-19 cases, while most android-based apps incorporate home monitoring surveillance features instead of providing focused educational content on COVID-19. It is important to evaluate the contents and features of COVID-19 mobile apps to guide users in choosing a suitable mobile app based on their requirements.

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Digital Diabetes Care System Observations from a market acceptance evaluation study in Vietnam (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.16435 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Tran Quang Khanh ◽

Pham Nhu Hao ◽

Eytan Roitman ◽

Baruch Marganitt ◽

Avivit Cahn

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Blood Glucose ◽

Health Care Professional ◽

Diabetes Care ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Mobile App ◽

Physician Satisfaction ◽

Diabetes Clinic ◽

Blood Glucose Monitor ◽

Hba1c Levels

BACKGROUND Digital technologies are gaining an important role in the management of patients with diabetes. The GlucoMe solution integrates multiple aspects of diabetes care: 1) Wireless blood glucose monitor - communicates glucose data automatically to any smartphone; 2) Mobile-app - securely transmits real-time blood glucose monitor data for cloud based analyses, and enables 2-way communication between patients and health care professionals; 3) Digital diabetes clinic – analyzes and presents data to the health care professional; and 4) Control tower software provides population management reports and sends individualized alerts. OBJECTIVE Assess clinical outcomes and user satisfaction of incorporating the GlucoMe digital solution in diabetes clinics of a developing country. METHODS Five hospital endocrinology clinics in Vietnam participated in a market acceptance evaluation pilot of the GlucoMe system. The clinics sequentially recruited all patients willing to join, so long as they had a smartphone and access to internet connectivity. Patients were provided with the GlucoMe app and blood glucose monitor and instructed in their use in individual or groups sessions. The digital diabetes clinic and control tower software were installed in the clinic computers. Face-to-face visits were conducted at baseline and at 12 weeks, with monthly digital visits scheduled in the interim and additional digital visits performed as needed. HbA1c levels were measured at baseline and at 12 weeks (±20 days). Treatment modification was at the discretion of the treating physician. Outcome measures included adherence to glucose monitoring, change in glycemic parameters and patient and physician satisfaction as assessed by questionnaires. Only patients completing the pilot were included in data analyses. RESULTS The study recruited 300 patients of whom 279 patients completed the evaluation. Dropout was due to change in internet access availability (18) or death (3). Adherence to glucose measurements gradually declined, yet, at study end 81% of the patients were measuring glucose at least once a week. Digital contact from the health care professional to the patient or vice-versa (excluding automated alerts) occurred in average every 6.2 days. Average glucose levels declined from 170.4±64.6 mg/dl in the first two weeks to 150.8±53.2 mg/dl in the last two weeks (P<0.001) (n=221). HbA1c levels at baseline and 12 weeks were available for only 126 of the patients and declined from 8.3±1.9% to 7.6±1.3 (P<0.001). Over 95% of the physicians and patients stated they would strongly support the broad usage of the GlucoMe platform in diabetes clinics across the country. CONCLUSIONS The GlucoMe digital solution was broadly accepted by both patients and health care professionals and improved glycemic outcomes. The digital platform yielded increased number of patient-health care professional interactions, yet of short duration, enabling judicious allocation of limited time resources. The durability, scalability and cost-effectiveness of this approach merit further study.

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Mobile Applications for Health Management of Older Adults: A Scoping Review (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.22823 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nurul Asilah Ahmad ◽

Shahrul Azman Mohd Noah ◽

Arimi Fitri Mat Ludin ◽

Suzana Shahar ◽

Noorlaili Mohd Tohit

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Goal Setting ◽

Mobile Applications ◽

Health Management ◽

Mobile Apps ◽

Personalized Feedback ◽

Self Monitoring ◽

App Store ◽

Evidenced Based ◽

Google Play

BACKGROUND Currently, the use of smartphones to deliver health-related content has experienced a rapid growth, with more than 165,000 mobile health (mHealth) applications currently available in the digital marketplace such as iOS store and Google Play. Among these, there are several mobile applications (mobile apps) that offer tools for disease prevention and management among older generations. These mobile apps could potentially promote health behaviors which will reduce or delay the onset of disease. However, no review to date that has focused on the app marketplace specific for older adults and little is known regarding its evidence-based quality towards the health of older adults. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review was to characterize and critically appraise the content and functionality of mobile apps that focuses on health management and/or healthy lifestyle among older adults. METHODS An electronic search was conducted between May 2019 to December 2019 of the official app store for two major smartphone operating systems: iPhone operating system (iTunes App Store) and Android (Google Play Store). Stores were searched separately using predetermined search terms. Two authors screened apps based on information provided in the app description. Metadata from all included apps were abstracted into a standard assessment criteria form. Evidenced based strategies and health care expert involvement of included apps was assessed. Evidenced based strategies included: self-monitoring, goal setting, physical activity support, healthy eating support, weight and/or health assessment, personalized feedback, motivational strategies, cognitive training and social support. Two authors verified the data with reference to the apps and downloaded app themselves. RESULTS A total of 16 apps met the inclusion criteria. Six out of 16 (37.5%) apps were designed exclusively for the iOS platform while ten out of 16 (62.5%) were designed for Android platform exclusively. Physical activity component was the most common feature offered in all the apps (9/16, 56.3%) and followed by cognitive training (8/16, 50.0%). Diet/nutrition (0/16, 0%) feature, however, was not offered on all reviewed mobile apps. Of reviewed apps, 56.3% (9/16) provide education, 37.5% (6/16) provide self-monitoring features, 18.8% (3/16) provide goal setting features, 18.5% (3/16) provide personalized feedback, 6.3% (1/16) provide social support and none of the reviewed apps offers heart rate monitoring and reminder features to the users. CONCLUSIONS All reviewed mobile apps for older adults in managing health did not focused on diet/nutrition component, lack of functional components and lack of health care professional involvement in their development process. There is also a need to carry out scientific testing prior to the development of the app to ensure cost effective and its health benefits to older adults. Collaborative efforts between developers, researchers, health professionals and patients are needed in developing evidence-based, high quality mobile apps in managing health prior they are made available in the app store.

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Mobile Health Apps for Medical Emergencies: Systematic Review

JMIR mhealth and uhealth ◽

10.2196/18513 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. e18513

Author(s):

Alejandro Plaza Roncero ◽

Gonçalo Marques ◽

Beatriz Sainz-De-Abajo ◽

Francisco Martín-Rodríguez ◽

Carlos del Pozo Vegas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Mobile Health ◽

Mobile Apps ◽

Current Status ◽

Health Technologies ◽

Health Apps ◽

App Store ◽

Mobile Health Apps ◽

Medical Emergencies ◽

Google Play

Background Mobile health apps are used to improve the quality of health care. These apps are changing the current scenario in health care, and their numbers are increasing. Objective We wanted to perform an analysis of the current status of mobile health technologies and apps for medical emergencies. We aimed to synthesize the existing body of knowledge to provide relevant insights for this topic. Moreover, we wanted to identify common threads and gaps to support new challenging, interesting, and relevant research directions. Methods We reviewed the main relevant papers and apps available in the literature. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology was used in this review. The search criteria were adopted using systematic methods to select papers and apps. On one hand, a bibliographic review was carried out in different search databases to collect papers related to each application in the health emergency field using defined criteria. On the other hand, a review of mobile apps in two virtual storage platforms (Google Play Store and Apple App Store) was carried out. The Google Play Store and Apple App Store are related to the Android and iOS operating systems, respectively. Results In the literature review, 28 papers in the field of medical emergency were included. These studies were collected and selected according to established criteria. Moreover, we proposed a taxonomy using six groups of applications. In total, 324 mobile apps were found, with 192 identified in the Google Play Store and 132 identified in the Apple App Store. Conclusions We found that all apps in the Google Play Store were free, and 73 apps in the Apple App Store were paid, with the price ranging from US $0.89 to US $5.99. Moreover, 39% (11/28) of the included studies were related to warning systems for emergency services and 21% (6/28) were associated with disaster management apps.

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Using the Habit App for Weight Loss Problem Solving: Development and Feasibility Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.9801 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Sherry Pagoto ◽

Bengisu Tulu ◽

Emmanuel Agu ◽

Molly E Waring ◽

Jessica L Oleski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Problem Solving ◽

Mobile Apps ◽

Mobile App ◽

Behavioral Weight Loss ◽

Problem Solving Therapy ◽

Pilot Studies ◽

Self Monitoring ◽

Problem Solving Skills ◽

Automated Delivery

BACKGROUND Reviews of weight loss mobile apps have revealed they include very few evidence-based features, relying mostly on self-monitoring. Unfortunately, adherence to self-monitoring is often low, especially among patients with motivational challenges. One behavioral strategy that is leveraged in virtually every visit of behavioral weight loss interventions and is specifically used to deal with adherence and motivational issues is problem solving. Problem solving has been successfully implemented in depression mobile apps, but not yet in weight loss apps. OBJECTIVE This study describes the development and feasibility testing of the Habit app, which was designed to automate problem-solving therapy for weight loss. METHODS Two iterative single-arm pilot studies were conducted to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the Habit app. In each pilot study, adults who were overweight or obese were enrolled in an 8-week intervention that included the Habit app plus support via a private Facebook group. Feasibility outcomes included retention, app usage, usability, and acceptability. Changes in problem-solving skills and weight over 8 weeks are described, as well as app usage and weight change at 16 weeks. RESULTS Results from both pilots show acceptable use of the Habit app over 8 weeks with on average two to three uses per week, the recommended rate of use. Acceptability ratings were mixed such that 54% (13/24) and 73% (11/15) of participants found the diet solutions helpful and 71% (17/24) and 80% (12/15) found setting reminders for habits helpful in pilots 1 and 2, respectively. In both pilots, participants lost significant weight (P=.005 and P=.03, respectively). In neither pilot was an effect on problem-solving skills observed (P=.62 and P=.27, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Problem-solving therapy for weight loss is feasible to implement in a mobile app environment; however, automated delivery may not impact problem-solving skills as has been observed previously via human delivery. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02192905; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02192905 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6zPQmvOF2)

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Privacy Concerns and Mobile App Store

International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management ◽

10.1142/s021987702150019x ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 2150019

Author(s):

Brenda Mak ◽

Leigh Jin

Keyword(s):

Purchase Intention ◽

Mobile Apps ◽

Smart Phone ◽

User Acceptance ◽

Mobile App ◽

Privacy Concerns ◽

App Store ◽

Negative Effect ◽

Positive Effect ◽

Share Information

Mobile apps have been transforming how individuals and organizations share information and conduct business. This research studies the relationships among user readiness factors, privacy concerns, and user acceptance of mobile app stores. A survey was conducted among college smart phone users. Results indicate that the privacy concerns construct has a direct negative effect on purchase intention of mobile apps in the app store. In addition, user readiness has a direct positive effect on attitudes to the app store, and a net positive effect on purchase intention of apps in the app store. Implications of our findings were discussed.

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Education Research in German Non-Medical Health Care Professions compared to International Developments: a Bibliometric and Content-Related Publication Analysis

10.21203/rs.2.22727/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sandra Kuka ◽

Jan P. Ehlers ◽

Michaela Zupanic

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Education Research ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Health Care Professions ◽

Publication Analysis ◽

Research Activities ◽

German Health ◽

Medical Health Care ◽

Medical Health

Abstract Background In Germany academic degree programs for non-medical health care professions (nursing, physical, occupational and speech language therapy, midwifery) have been established only recently, even if they play a key role in today´s complex patient-centered health care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the development and current state of German education research in these professions as well as to conduct a comparison to international research activities in this field.Method To achieve these objectives a bibliometric and content-related publication analysis was performed from 2008 to 2017 in four international high-impact journals. Based on appropriate inclusion criteria (bibliographical and biographical criteria, focus on first and last author, original study) and their development into a coding scheme, articles were recorded systematically and results analyzed quantitatively and content-wise. Group comparisons between German and international health care professions as well as interdisciplinary comparisons between the individual professions were performed.Results On the whole, 11.891 articles were analyzed for participation of the respective target groups, either as first or as last author. Of these, 164 original studies met the inclusion criteria with 157 publications pertaining to international and only seven to German health care professionals. The majority of authors belonged to the discipline of nursing science (n=138). North America (36.63%), Australia (18.32%) and Asia (14.85%) rank among the regions that publish most frequently. Publications by German health care professionals are rare but showed an overall high level of quality.Conclusion International publication activities by non-medical health care professionals have been on the rise in recent years. Specific funding measures as well as transnational and interdisciplinary collaborations may be potential ways of strengthening and expanding education research in countries with only young academic experiences.

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Educational Resources and Curriculum on Lactation for Health Undergraduate Students: A Scoping Review

Journal of Human Lactation ◽

10.1177/0890334420980693 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 089033442098069

Author(s):

Suzanne Hetzel Campbell ◽

Nicole de Oliveira Bernardes ◽

Thayanthini Tharmaratnam ◽

Flaviana Vely Mendonça Vieira

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Professional ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Professional Education ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Educational Resources ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Breastfeeding Support ◽

Support Skills

Background Breastfeeding is a fundamental component of health care, and health professionals need to be adequately prepared. As part of the system, health care professionals have the ability to influence the establishment and maintenance of breastfeeding. The global literature regarding the curricular approach or established best practices for health professional education in lactation is inconclusive and lacking in rigor. Research aim To explore the literature for the educational resources, methods, and curriculum used in the education of undergraduate health students related to lactation. Methods A scoping review examining the curricular programs of health professional students in lactation was undertaken exploring and summarizing evidence from peer reviewed and grey literature. A scoping review with a five-stage review process was followed. The database search between 1982–2018 generated 625 results, 79 full-text articles were reviewed, and 29 articles published in English met the inclusion criteria. Results In general, educational resources, methods, curricular approaches, and foundational topics were based on best practice standards. Some authors incorporated a variety of learning methods and provided experiential learning, with evidence of translation of knowledge into clinical practice. In the studies examined, researchers reported that students had improved their: knowledge and attitudes (59%); breastfeeding support skills (45%); and confidence (10%). However, even in programs that focused on developing students’ breastfeeding support skills, authors reported a lack of change in students’ confidence. Conclusions Although only English articles met the inclusion criteria, this review was unique in its search of multidisciplinary, multilingual, and international studies. Consistency in teaching across disciplines is key and not evident in the studies reviewed.

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Compendium of the Health and Wellness Coaching Literature

American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine ◽

10.1177/1559827617708562 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 436-447 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Gary A. Sforzo ◽

Miranda P. Kaye ◽

Irina Todorova ◽

Sebastian Harenberg ◽

Kyle Costello ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Health Care ◽

Behavior Change ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Health And Wellness ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Wellness Coaching ◽

Treatment Of Diabetes ◽

Definition Of

Health and wellness coaching (HWC) for lifestyle behavior change is emerging as a practice, role, and profession, in diverse health care, employee wellness, and community settings. Health care professionals apply HWC as a behavior change methodology for the prevention and treatment of diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, heart disease, cancer, and other chronic disorders. The purpose of this systematic review was to provide a comprehensive and organized compendium of HWC literature. To date, extant HWC literature remains scattered with no meaningful summary accessible. Lack of comprehensive summary stems from lack of consensus on HWC definition and standards. We applied a recently proposed, standardized definition of HWC to determine compendium inclusion criteria for peer-reviewed, data-based literature from relevant search engines (ie, PubMed, PsychInfo, and CINAHL). A systematic review process was executed and ultimately yielded 219 articles meeting HWC inclusion criteria. Of these, 150 were data-based and the remainder were expert opinion or review-style articles. A summary of results generally reveals HWC as a promising intervention for chronic diseases though further research is needed in most categories. The resulting HWC compendium organizes and describes the quantity and quality of available literature for the use and benefit of HWC practitioners and researchers.

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Communication and support from health-care professionals to families, with dependent children, following the diagnosis of parental life-limiting illness: A systematic review

Palliative Medicine ◽

10.1177/0269216316655736 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 212-222 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Rachel Fearnley ◽

Jason W. Boland

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Health Care ◽

Literature Review ◽

Emotional Support ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Data Sources ◽

Narrative Synthesis ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Dependent Children ◽

Insufficient Time

Background: Communication between parents and their children about parental life-limiting illness is stressful. Parents want support from health-care professionals; however, the extent of this support is not known. Awareness of family’s needs would help ensure appropriate support. Aim: To find the current literature exploring (1) how parents with a life-limiting illness, who have dependent children, perceive health-care professionals’ communication with them about the illness, diagnosis and treatments, including how social, practical and emotional support is offered to them and (2) how this contributes to the parents’ feelings of supporting their children. Design: A systematic literature review and narrative synthesis. Data sources: Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and ASSIA ProQuest were searched in November 2015 for studies assessing communication between health-care professionals and parents about how to talk with their children about the parent’s illness. Results: There were 1342 records identified, five qualitative studies met the inclusion criteria (55 ill parents, 11 spouses/carers, 26 children and 16 health-care professionals). Parents wanted information from health-care professionals about how to talk to their children about the illness; this was not routinely offered. Children also want to talk with a health-care professional about their parents’ illness. Health-care professionals are concerned that conversations with parents and their children will be too difficult and time-consuming. Conclusion: Parents with a life-limiting illness want support from their health-care professionals about how to communicate with their children about the illness. Their children look to health-care professionals for information about their parent’s illness. Health-care professionals, have an important role but appear reluctant to address these concerns because of fears of insufficient time and expertise.

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