scholarly journals With a little help from my walking app? Predictors of profile classifications of current users, previous users, and informed nonusers in a sample of Dutch adults (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gert-Jan UHvA ◽  
Joan Martine Dallinga ◽  
Marije Deutekom
Keyword(s):  
Health Behaviour ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Mobile Health Apps ◽  
Specific Health ◽  
Discriminant Function Analyses

BACKGROUND The last decade has seen a substantial increase in the use of mobile health apps and research into the effects of those apps on health and health behaviour. In parallel, research has aimed at identifying population subgroups that are more likely to use those health apps. There are two major limitations to the present evidence base. First, research into mobile health apps has focused on vary broad health apps or health apps for behavioral categories. No research has investigated which population subgroups are more likely to use apps for a specific health behaviour. In this study, we focused on walking apps. Second, research has tended to focus on health app users versus non-users: little research effort has been directed at subgroups of non-users, including populations who previously used apps but decided not to use them anymore. OBJECTIVE We aimed to provide profile distributions of current users, previous users, and informed non-users, and to identify predictor variables relevant for profile classification. METHODS Data were available from 1683 participants who were participants of a national walking event in September 2017. They provided information on demographics, walking behaviour and walking app usage, and items from User Acceptance of Information Technology, in an online survey. Data were analyzed using discriminant function analyses and multinominal logistic regression analysis. RESULTS The majority was a current walking app user (n = 899, 53.4%) and only a small part was a previous walking app user (n = 121, 7.2%). Current walking app users were more likely to walk on at least five days per week and for at least 30 minutes for bout (OR = 1.4, 95% CI [1.1; 1.9], P = .005), but also to be more likely to be overweight, OR = 1.7, 95% CI [1.2 - 2.4], P = .001, or obese, OR = 1.4, 95% CI [1.1; 1.9], P = .005, as compared to informed non-users. Further, current walking app users perceived the app to be less boring, to be easier to ease and to retrieve information, and to be more helpful to obtain their goal. Effect sizes ranged from 0.10, 95% CI [0.08 – 0.30] to 1.58, 95% CI [1.47 – 1.70]. CONCLUSIONS Results demonstrated the usefulness to focus on behaviour-specific apps and on subgroups of non-users. The findings provide indications for health practitioners to stimulate walking app usage. For app-developers, findings indicate suggestions to prevent people to stop using (walking) apps.

scholarly journals Development of a Personalized Apps to Inculcate Dietary Self-Management for Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients: A Need Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1325-1325
Author(s):  
Jun Hao Lim ◽  
Cordelia Kheng May Lim ◽  
Imliya Ibrahim ◽  
Jazlina Shahrul ◽  
Mohd Hazli Mohd Zabil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Maintenance Hemodialysis ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Need Analysis ◽  
Renal Diet ◽  
Poor Treatment ◽  
Mobile Health Apps

Abstract Objectives Dietary non-adherence is highly prevalent among maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients resulting in multitudes health complications and poor treatment outcomes. Given high penetration of smartphone, well-designed mobile health apps emerged as a potential tool to empower HD patients with dietary self-management skills. This need analysis study determined the perception and expectation of patients and dietitians on the features and the use of apps in dialysis care to foster development of evidence-based renal diet apps. Methods This was a mixed-method study with concurrent triangulation design. The quantitative arm involved HD patients (n = 184) through face-to-face interview and dietitians (n = 120) via anonymous online survey. While the qualitative arm consisted of 10 in-depth interviews (HD patients) and 8 email interviews (dietitians). Descriptive and thematic analyses were used, and the results were compared. Results A total of 69.6% of HD patients owned a smartphone. More than half (53.9%) of the smartphone users had the experience of searching health information especially nutrition-related topics (91.3%). Majority of them (78.9%) perceived renal diet apps as very important and were willing to use (80.5%). They agreed that renal diet apps can help them in preventing nutrition complications (82.0%), planning menu (78.9%) and monitoring nutrient intakes (82.8%). In the context of practising dietitians, 60.8% aware of the existence of renal diet apps but only 38.3% of them would recommend existing renal diet apps to their patients due to lack of local content (42.5%) and unsure credibility (37.5%). Most of them (88.3%) perceived that local-based renal diet app is needed and agreed that it can enhance dietetics care in HD population (90.8%). Top features anticipated by both patients and dietitians included plan or order, tailored assistance, usability and tracker. Conclusions Dietary self-management via mobile health apps seems to be feasible in the dialysis population given the high smartphone penetration, strong desire to use and positive perceptions from patients and dietitians. Features valued by patients and dietitians will be integrated into the design of the apps to promote acceptance and usage. Funding Sources This project is funded by the internal grant of Universiti Putra Malaysia (Inisiatif Putra Muda).

scholarly journals The Mobile App Development and Assessment Guide (MAG): Delphi-Based Validity Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pere Llorens-Vernet ◽  
Jordi Miró
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
End Users ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
App Development ◽  
Mobile Health Apps

BACKGROUND In recent years, there has been an exponential growth of mobile health (mHealth)–related apps. This has occurred in a somewhat unsupervised manner. Therefore, having a set of criteria that could be used by all stakeholders to guide the development process and the assessment of the quality of the apps is of most importance. OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper is to study the validity of the Mobile App Development and Assessment Guide (MAG), a guide recently created to help stakeholders develop and assess mobile health apps. METHODS To conduct a validation process of the MAG, we used the Delphi method to reach a consensus among participating stakeholders. We identified 158 potential participants: 45 patients as potential end users, 41 health care professionals, and 72 developers. We sent participants an online survey and asked them to rate how important they considered each item in the guide to be on a scale from 0 to 10. Two rounds were enough to reach consensus. RESULTS In the first round, almost one-third (n=42) of those invited participated, and half of those (n=24) also participated in the second round. Most items in the guide were found to be important to a quality mHealth-related app; a total of 48 criteria were established as important. “Privacy,” “security,” and “usability” were the categories that included most of the important criteria. CONCLUSIONS The data supports the validity of the MAG. In addition, the findings identified the criteria that stakeholders consider to be most important. The MAG will help advance the field by providing developers, health care professionals, and end users with a valid guide so that they can develop and identify mHealth-related apps that are of quality.

scholarly journals The Mobile App Development and Assessment Guide (MAG): Delphi-Based Validity Study

10.2196/17760 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. e17760 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pere Llorens-Vernet ◽  
Jordi Miró
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
End Users ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
App Development ◽  
Mobile Health Apps

Background In recent years, there has been an exponential growth of mobile health (mHealth)–related apps. This has occurred in a somewhat unsupervised manner. Therefore, having a set of criteria that could be used by all stakeholders to guide the development process and the assessment of the quality of the apps is of most importance. Objective The aim of this paper is to study the validity of the Mobile App Development and Assessment Guide (MAG), a guide recently created to help stakeholders develop and assess mobile health apps. Methods To conduct a validation process of the MAG, we used the Delphi method to reach a consensus among participating stakeholders. We identified 158 potential participants: 45 patients as potential end users, 41 health care professionals, and 72 developers. We sent participants an online survey and asked them to rate how important they considered each item in the guide to be on a scale from 0 to 10. Two rounds were enough to reach consensus. Results In the first round, almost one-third (n=42) of those invited participated, and half of those (n=24) also participated in the second round. Most items in the guide were found to be important to a quality mHealth-related app; a total of 48 criteria were established as important. “Privacy,” “security,” and “usability” were the categories that included most of the important criteria. Conclusions The data supports the validity of the MAG. In addition, the findings identified the criteria that stakeholders consider to be most important. The MAG will help advance the field by providing developers, health care professionals, and end users with a valid guide so that they can develop and identify mHealth-related apps that are of quality.

Evaluating mobile phone applications for health behaviour change: A systematic review

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona H McKay ◽  
Christina Cheng ◽  
Annemarie Wright ◽  
Jane Shill ◽  
Hugh Stephens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Health Behaviour ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Sufficient Information ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Health Behaviour Change ◽  
Mobile Health Apps

Introduction Increasing smartphones access has allowed for increasing development and use of smart phone applications (apps). Mobile health interventions have previously relied on voice or text-based short message services (SMS), however, the increasing availability and ease of use of apps has allowed for significant growth of smartphone apps that can be used for health behaviour change. This review considers the current body of knowledge relating to the evaluation of apps for health behaviour change. The aim of this review is to investigate approaches to the evaluation of health apps to identify any current best practice approaches. Method A systematic review was conducted. Data were collected and analysed in September 2016. Thirty-eight articles were identified and have been included in this review. Results Articles were published between 2011– 2016, and 36 were reviews or evaluations of apps related to one or more health conditions, the remaining two reported on an investigation of the usability of health apps. Studies investigated apps relating to the following areas: alcohol, asthma, breastfeeding, cancer, depression, diabetes, general health and fitness, headaches, heart disease, HIV, hypertension, iron deficiency/anaemia, low vision, mindfulness, obesity, pain, physical activity, smoking, weight management and women’s health. Conclusion In order to harness the potential of mobile health apps for behaviour change and health, we need better ways to assess the quality and effectiveness of apps. This review is unable to suggest a single best practice approach to evaluate mobile health apps. Few measures identified in this review included sufficient information or evaluation, leading to potentially incomplete and inaccurate information for consumers seeking the best app for their situation. This is further complicated by a lack of regulation in health promotion generally.

scholarly journals PNS187 US NATIONAL TRENDS OF MOBILE HEALTH APPS USE IN 2014 AND 2018

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. S317
Author(s):  
X. Feng ◽  
T. Lavelle ◽  
P.J. Lin
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Health ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Mobile Health Apps ◽  
National Trends

scholarly journals Mobile Health Apps for Medical Emergencies: Systematic Review

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.

scholarly journals Patient-Centric Structural Determinants of Adherence Rates Among Asthma Populations: Exploring the Potential of Patient Activation and Encouragement Tool TRUSTR to Improve Adherence

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asim Zia ◽  
Arthur Brassart ◽  
Sheila Thomas ◽  
Fen Ye ◽  
Judith Stephenson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Data ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Medical Condition ◽  
Total Effect ◽  
Adherence Rate ◽  
Administrative Claims ◽  
Structural Determinants ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Mobile Health Apps ◽  
Patient Centric

Background: Lack of adherence with prescribed medications among the asthma populations exacerbates health outcomes and increases social and economic costs. Objectives: The proposed study aims to model patient-centric structural determinants of adherence rates among asthma patients and explore the potential of mobile health apps such as the TRUSTR platform to improve adherence using its power of monetary and non-monetary chatbotting and non-monetary nudges. Following specific hypotheses are tested: (1) Patient attributes, such as their age and medical condition, have significant effect on their adherence with the prescribed treatment plans. (2) Behavioral nudging with rewards and engagement via mobile health apps will increase adherence rates. Methods: The patient population (N= 37 359) consists of commercially insured patients with asthma who have been identified from administrative claims in the HealthCore Integrated Research Database (HIRD) between April 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019. Two Structural Equation Models (SEMs) are estimated to quantify direct, indirect and total effect sizes of age and medical condition on proportion of days covered (PDC) and medical possession ratio (MPR), mediated by patient medical and pharmacy visits. Fourteen additional SEMs were estimated to lateralize TRUSTR findings and conduct sensitivity analysis. Results: HIRD data reveal mean adherence rate of 59% (standard deviation (SD) 29%) for PDC and 58% for MPR (SD 36%). Key structural findings from SEMs derived from the HIRD dataset indicate that each additional year in the age of the patient has a positive total effect on the adherence rate. Patients with poor medical condition are likely to have lower adherence rate, but this direct effect is countered by mediating variables. Further, each additional reward and higher engagement with a mobile app is likely to have a positive total effect on increasing the adherence rate. Conclusions: HIRD data reveal mean adherence rate of 59% (SD 29%), providing the evidence for the opportunity to increase adherence rate by around 40%. Statistical modeling results reveal structural determinants, such as the opportunity to nudge, are higher among younger patients, as they have higher probability of being non-adherent. Methodologically, lateralization approach demonstrates the potential to capture real-world evidence beyond clinical data and merge it with clinical data.

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