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Lee M, Lin X, Chai JZQ, Lee ES, Smith H, Tudor Car L. Smartphone apps for point-of-care information summaries: systematic assessment of the quality and content. BMJ Evid Based Med 2023; 28:320-327. [PMID: 36922021 DOI: 10.1136/bmjebm-2022-112146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinicians need easy access to evidence-based information to inform their clinical practice. Point-of-care information summaries are increasingly available in the form of smartphone apps. However, the quality of information from the apps is questionable as there is currently no regulation on the content of the medical apps. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to systematically assess the quality and content of the medical apps providing point-of-care information summaries that were available in two major app stores. We evaluated apps designed specifically for healthcare professionals and assessed their content development, editorial policy, coverage of medical conditions and trustworthiness. METHODS We conducted a systematic assessment of medical apps providing point-of-care information summaries available in Google Play and Apple app stores. Apps launched or updated since January 2020 were identified through a systematic search using 42matters. Apps meeting the inclusion criteria were downloaded and assessed. The data extraction and app assessment were done in parallel and independently by at least two reviewers. Apps were evaluated against the adapted criteria: (1) general characteristics, (2) content presentation of the summaries, (3) editorial quality, (4) evidence-based methodology, (5) coverage (volume) of the medical conditions, (6) usability of apps and (7) trustworthiness of the app based on HONcode principles. HONcode principles are guidelines used to inform users about the credibility and reliability of health information online. The results were reported as a narrative review. RESULTS Eight medical apps met the inclusion criteria and were systematically appraised. Based on our evaluation criteria, UpToDate supported 16 languages, and all other apps were English. Bullet points and brief paragraphs were used in all apps, and only DynaMed and Micromedex and Pathway-medical knowledge provided a formal grading system for the strength of recommendations for all the medical conditions in their apps. All the other apps either lacked a formal grading system altogether or offered one for some of the medical conditions. About 30% of the editorial quality assessment and 47.5% of the evidence-based methodology assessment were unclear or missing. UpToDate contained the most point-of-care evidence-based documents with >10 500 documents. All apps except 5-Minute Clinical Consult and DynaMed and Micromedex were available for offline access. Only Medscape complied with the HONcode principles. CONCLUSIONS Future apps should report a more detailed evidence-based methodology, be accessible for offline use and support search in more than one language. There should be clearer information provided in future apps regarding the declaration of authorship and conflict of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricette Lee
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Xiaowen Lin
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Joanne Zhi Qi Chai
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Eng Sing Lee
- Family Medicine and Primary Care, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Helen Smith
- Family Medicine and Primary Care, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Lorainne Tudor Car
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Galetsi P, Katsaliaki K, Kumar S, Ferguson M. What affects consumer behavior in mobile health professional diagnosis applications. DECISION SCIENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/deci.12550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Panagiota Galetsi
- School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics International Hellenic University Thessaloniki Greece
| | - Korina Katsaliaki
- School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics International Hellenic University Thessaloniki Greece
| | - Sameer Kumar
- Opus College of Business University of St. Thomas Minneapolis Campus Minneapolis Minnesota
| | - Mark Ferguson
- Darla Moore School of Business University of South Carolina Columbia South Carolina
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Peng X, Li Z, Zhang C, Liu R, Jiang Y, Chen J, Qi Z, Ge J, Zhao S, Zhou M, You H. Determinants of physicians' online medical services uptake: a cross-sectional study applying social ecosystem theory. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e048851. [PMID: 34531212 PMCID: PMC8449954 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-048851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the determinants of willingness and practice of physicians' online medical services (OMS) uptake based on social ecosystem theory, so as to formulate OMS development strategies. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey. SETTING Research was conducted in two comprehensive hospitals and two community hospitals in Jiangsu, China, and the data were gathered from 1 June to 31 June 2020. PARTICIPANTS With multistage sampling, 707 physicians were enrolled in this study. OUTCOME MEASURE Descriptive statistics were reported for the basic characteristics. χ2 test, Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's correlation analysis were used to perform univariate analysis. Linear regression and logistic regression were employed to examine the determinants of physicians' OMS uptake willingness and actual uptake, respectively. RESULTS The mean score of the physicians' OMS uptake willingness was 17.33 (range 5-25), with an SD of 4.39, and 53.3% of them reported having conducted OMS. In the micro system, factors positively associated with willingness included holding administrative positions (b=1.03, p<0.05), OMS-related awareness (b=1.32, p<0.001) and OMS-related skills (b=4.88, p<0.001); the determinants of actual uptake included holding administrative positions (OR=2.89, 95% CI 1.59 to 5.28, p<0.01), OMS-related awareness (OR=1.90, 95% CI 1.22 to 2.96, p<0.01), OMS-related skills (OR=2.25, 95% CI 1.35 to 3.74, p<0.01) and working years (OR=2.44, 95% CI 1.66 to 3.59, p<0.001). In the meso system, the hospital's incentive mechanisms (b=0.78, p<0.05) were correlated with willingness; hospital advocated for OMS (OR=2.34, 95% CI 1.21 to 4.52, p<0.05), colleagues' experiences (OR=3.81, 95% CI 2.25 to 6.45, p<0.001) and patients' consultations (OR=2.93, 95% CI 2.02 to 4.25, p<0.001) were determinants of actual uptake. In the macro system, laws and policies were correlated with willingness (b=0.73, p<0.05) and actual uptake (OR=1.98, 95% CI 1.31 to 2.99, p<0.01); media orientation was also associated with willingness (b=0.74, p<0.05). CONCLUSION Multiple determinants influence physicians' OMS application. Comprehensive OMS promotion strategies should be put forward from multidimensional perspectives including the micro, meso and macro levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqing Peng
- School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhiguang Li
- Center for Health Policy and Management Studies, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chi Zhang
- School of Nursing, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rui Liu
- School of Health Policy & Management, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yongzhi Jiang
- School of Health Policy & Management, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiayu Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zixin Qi
- School of Health Policy & Management, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jinjin Ge
- School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shiqi Zhao
- School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Meng Zhou
- School of Nursing, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hua You
- School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- School of Nursing, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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Impact of a mobile decision support tool on antimicrobial stewardship indicators in St. John's, Canada. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252407. [PMID: 34133424 PMCID: PMC8208547 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Inappropriate antibiotic use contributes to antimicrobial resistance. The SpectrumTM app provides antibiotic decision support, based on local antimicrobial resistance rates. We determined the impact of regional implementation of the app on inpatient antimicrobial appropriateness, inpatient antimicrobial usage (AMU), population-based Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) rates and cost, using a retrospective, before and after quasi-experimental design, including a one-year study period. Methods The SpectrumTM app was released to prescribers in February, 2019. We performed two one-day inpatient point prevalence surveys using the National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey tool, six months before (June 25, 2018) and six months after (June 25, 2019) app dissemination. Inpatient AMU in Defined Daily Dose/1000 patient days and CDI incidence were compared, before and after app dissemination. Results The pre-survey included 184 prescriptions, and the post-survey included 197 prescriptions. Appropriateness was 97/176 (55.1%) pre, and 126/192 (65.6%) post (+10.5%, p = 0.051). Inpatient AMU declined by 6.6 DDD/1000 patient days per month, and CDI declined by 0.3 cases per month. Cost savings associated with reduced AMU were $403.98/bed/year and associated with reduced CDI were $82,078/year. Conclusion We observed improvement in antimicrobial stewardship indicators following SpectrumTM implementation. We cannot determine the cause of these improvements.
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Telemedical versus onsite treatment at an orthopaedic university clinic: Study of 280 consecutive patients. OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARTILAGE OPEN 2021; 3:100140. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ocarto.2021.100140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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Pabinger C, Lothaller H, Lorenz A, Dammerer D. Telemedicine versus on-site treatment at a surgical university clinic: Study of 225 consecutive patients. Int J Med Inform 2021; 151:104460. [PMID: 33965683 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2021.104460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Recently, telemedical services are increasingly used. It remains unclear, if outpatients in general surgery can be treated via telemedicine (e.g. telework). We aimed to evaluate, if diagnosis and therapies of outpatients in general surgery can be found using a mobile healthcare communication app instead of personal contact. MATERIAL AND METHODS In a prospective, double blind, anonymized clinical study we included consecutive outpatients at a general surgery department at a university hospital. For the telemedical "treatment" the on-site doctors uploaded variables (e.g. anamnesis, radiograph, etc.) for each patient. The telemedical doctor received the information only via app and did not see the patient physically. Both, the doctor on-site and the virtual telemedical-doctor then uploaded the diagnosis and their suggested therapy - blinded to each other. The outpatient received the on-site treatment only. The virtual treatment was solely for scientific purposes and had no therapeutic impact. RESULTS 225 consecutive surgical outpatients (53 % female and 47 % male) were included. Mean age was 61 years. In 84 % of cases the telemedical diagnosis matched the on-site diagnosis. The telemedical treatment was not inferior as compared to the on-site treatment in 94 % of all cases and the same therapy was proposed in 76 %. In 6% of all cases the telemedical therapeutic regimen could possibly harm or lead to an over- or under treatment of the patient. CONCLUSION Telemedical consultation seems to work in the field of general surgery. Telemedicine in general surgery potentially could decrease waiting time for an appointment and patient frequency. However, the potential harm of a wrong therapy remains due to the lack of a clinical observation.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Pabinger
- Medical University of Innsbruck, Christoph-Probst-Platz 1, Innrain 52 A, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria.
| | - H Lothaller
- University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, 8010 Graz, Leonhardstraße 15, Graz, 8010, Austria
| | - A Lorenz
- Medical University of Innsbruck, Department of Visceral, Transplantation and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, Anichstraße 35, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - D Dammerer
- Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Hand therapists and health care providers across the spectrum have been profoundly impacted by COVID-19. Greater insight and information regarding how practitioners have been affected by this unparalleled pandemic is important. PURPOSE Survey research was performed to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hand therapy practice. STUDY DESIGN Online survey research. METHODS Four constructs guided the development of the survey: psychosocial and financial impact; safety practice patterns; changes in current practice patterns; use of telehealth. The survey was distributed to members of the American Society of Hand Therapists from April 14, 2020 through May 4, 2020. Descriptive demographic data were obtained. Frequencies were examined using ChiSquare, correlations were examined using Spearman Correlation Coefficient, and means were compared via independent t-test. RESULTS A total of 719 members responded to the survey. Eighty-six percent of therapists reported feeling more stress than they did prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. This level of stress was similar across ages, practice settings, financial stability or instability, and geographical settings. Older therapists (rs = 0.04) and those that practiced longer (rs = 0.009) felt more comfortable with in-person treatment. Ninety-eight percent of therapists reported a decrease in caseload. Postoperative cases (P= .0001) and patients ages 19-49 were more likely to receive in-person treatment (P= .002). 46% of therapists reported providing telehealth services. Nontraumatic, nonoperative cases (P= .0001) and patients aged 65 or older were more likely to receive telehealth services (P= .0001). Younger therapists (rs = 0.03) and therapists working in outpatient therapist owned, outpatient corporate owned, and outpatient academic medical centers (X2 [4, N = 637] = 15.9463, P= .003) were more likely to utilize telehealth. CONCLUSION Stress was felt globally among hand therapy clinicians regardless of financial security or insecurity, age, practice area, or geographical setting. Therapists saw a drastic decrease in caseloads. In-person caseloads shifted primarily to postoperative cases. STUDY DESIGN Web based survey.
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Perceptions of Practitioners on Telehealth and App Use for Smoking Cessation and COPD Care-An Exploratory Study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 56:medicina56120698. [PMID: 33333856 PMCID: PMC7765310 DOI: 10.3390/medicina56120698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Background and objectives: With the digitalization of modern healthcare delivery, digital media adoption in clinical practice is increasing. Also, healthcare professionals are more and more confronted with patients using smartphone-based health applications (apps). This exploratory study aimed at surveying perceptions on such apps in the context of lung health among a cross section of Austrian practitioners involved in pulmonary care. Materials and Methods: The online questionnaire in German assessed socio-demographic characteristics, telehealth readiness as well as opinions on smoke-free and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) apps. We used descriptive statistics to report the finding. Results: We received valid responses from 55 participants (mean age 52.3 years, 69.1% males). Telehealth readiness was medium, indicating existence of certain barriers adversely impacting telehealth use. As for apps targeting smoking cessation and COPD, respondents indicated high relevance for visualization aspects for patients and control/overview features for the treating doctors. Only 40% of participants indicated that they would recommend a COPD app to an older patient. Conclusions: In smoking cessation therapy, doctors commonly adhere to the “5 A’s”: Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, and Arrange. We suggest adding “App” as sixth A, assuming that in patient follow-up most of the other A’s could also be supported or even replaced by app features in the challenging task to tackle smoking-associated non-communicable diseases.
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The Quantified Woman: Exploring Perceptions on Health App Use among Austrian Females of Reproductive Age. REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/reprodmed1020010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Smartphones have become the most important commodity for today’s digitalized society. Besides direct interpersonal communication, their most used features are third-party applications (apps). Apps for monitoring health parameters (health apps) are extremely popular, and their users are part of the Quantified Self movement. Little knowledge is available on how health apps are perceived by a female target audience, the Quantified Woman. We conducted a study among Austrian females of reproductive age (n = 150) to analyze prevalence, perceived benefits, and readiness for health app use. In the cross-sectional online German survey, nearly all participants used these apps (98.0%), predominantly for monitoring physical activity and female health (both 31.3%). For the latter, participants used a large variety of different apps for monitoring contraception and menstruation. Perceived benefits and readiness of health app use were only of medium range. Our study assessed aspects of health app use in an understudied segment of the general population. From a Public Health perspective, the Quantified Woman could be empowered by health data collection by enabling her to take active control over how her health graphs develop. We suggest assuring data security and privacy for sensitive female health data collected by health apps.
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Zhang C, Fan L, Chai Z, Yu C, Song J. Smartphone and medical application use among dentists in China. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2020; 20:213. [PMID: 32894112 PMCID: PMC7487503 DOI: 10.1186/s12911-020-01238-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background With the development of information technology, an increasing number of healthcare professionals are using smartphones and mobile medical applications (apps) in their clinical practice. The objective of this study was to survey the use of smartphone-based medical apps among dentists in China and determine dentists’ perceptions of such apps. Methods All data were collected using anonymous questionnaires. The questionnaires for this cross-sectional study were randomly sent to dentists by email, and 379 dentists responded. Dentists’ demographics and perceptions of WeChat, QQ (the most popular social media apps in China) and other medical apps were assessed; the questionnaire including questions on the purpose, frequency, daily use, and opinion of the apps they used. Questions were answered using a Likert scale (1 = strongly agree, 2 = agree, 3 = not sure, 4 = disagree, and 5 = strongly disagree). Results A total of 379 valid responses were received; the respondents had a median age of 33.6 years old (63.3% female). All subjects (100%) owned a smartphone, and all of them installed and used WeChat or QQ in their clinical practice. Only 76% of subjects installed medical apps (other than WeChat and QQ) on their smartphones. Male dentists were more likely to install medical apps than female dentists (p < 0.05). With increasing age, the percentage of dentists who installed medical apps decreased (p < 0.001). The frequency and daily use were higher for WeChat and QQ than for medical apps. Medical apps were positively perceived, with dentists reporting that they recommend these medical apps to their peers (Likert score: 1.67 ± 0.68). Conclusion Medical apps were perceived to have a positive impact on clinical practice, education and patient care in dentistry by providing relevant medical information. However, there will still be much room for improvement in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zhang
- College of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory for Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Lin Fan
- College of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory for Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhaowu Chai
- College of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory for Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Cong Yu
- College of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory for Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Jinlin Song
- College of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China. .,Chongqing Key Laboratory for Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, China. .,Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, China.
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Rodrigues AT, Sousa CT, Pereira J, Figueiredo IV, Lima TDM. Mobile Applications (Apps) to Support the Hepatitis C Treatment: A Systematic Search in App Stores. Ther Innov Regul Sci 2020; 55:152-162. [PMID: 32700147 DOI: 10.1007/s43441-020-00201-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this review was to identify apps to support the HCV treatment and perform a quality assessment. A comprehensive search was conducted until February 2020 in Apple App Store (iOs) and Google Play Store (Android) using search term such "hepatitis", "hepatology", and "HCV". Two independent authors identified the apps and performed data extraction and quality assessment using Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS). Spearman's correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationships between user's star ratings found in the app stores and quality app defined by the MARS instrument. A total of 316 potential apps were identified, of which 12 apps fully met the eligibility criteria. Most apps were available in both App Stores and developed by commercial developers for healthcare provider. Almost all of apps were updated within the last two year and received 3.7 or above star ratings from users. Overall, only one app was considered with a good quality. The average scores for objective and subjective MARS quality of these apps were 3.54 (SD = 0.65) and 3.27 (SD = 0.76), respectively. Moreover, a majority of apps received objective scores between 3.29 and 4.37/5. However, MARS items such "interactivity", "visual appeal", "quality information", and "credibility" obtained minimum acceptable scores. MARS scores were not significantly correlation the user's star ratings. This systematic search found gaps in apps to support the HCV treatment; 12 apps were identified in this study and only one app achieved a good quality. There is a need that users use these apps cautiously as well as involve expert healthcare professionals in the development of new HCV apps.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - João Pereira
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - Tácio de Mendonça Lima
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Integrated Health Science Centre, Rua R. UAJ s/n, Zona Rural, Seropédica, RJ, 23897-090, Brazil.
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Al-Otaibi HM, Ansari KA, Hamad O, Alanzi TM. Opinions of healthcare providers on the design of a smartphone application for asthma treatment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Multidiscip Respir Med 2020; 15:508. [PMID: 32269774 PMCID: PMC7137761 DOI: 10.4081/mrm.2020.508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction In several countries of the world, smartphone applications have been designed to contribute to the treatment of asthma. However, none of these applications has been developed in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the objective of this article is to design a smartphone application for the treatment of asthma based on the opinions of healthcare providers from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods In order to know the opinion of the healthcare providers from Saudi Arabia about the design of an asthma App, we used a purposive sampling method and conducted a cross sectional survey employing a questionnaire which was distributed through the QuestionPro.com website to all healthcare providers working in this country. The questionnaire was sent to 376 healthcare providers and the response rate was 25%. Results The data indicated that the majority of the respondents opined that the following features were important or very important in the design of a smartphone application for asthma treatment in Saudi Arabia: information about patient diagnosis (98%), primary physician access information(83%), patient satisfaction with the therapeutic process (91%), push notifications about reminder for drugs (95%), push notification for treatment of inhaler and other drugs (92%), push notifications about reminders of clinic visits and therapy sections (81%), push notifications to ask for help sending SMS to primary physician about patients’ attacks (89%), pathophysiology of asthma (82%), asthma triggers (98%), drug guidelines (94%), drug side effects (93%), number of asthma attacks (98%), medication statistics (88%), visual inputs such as peak flow (91%), data to link patients to healthcare providers and to healthcare centers (82%), and Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) references (72%). Conclusions According to the opinion of the majority of healthcare providers (92%), the proposed smartphone application designed based on medical guidelines will contribute to improve the treatment of patients with asthma in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and will help to reduce the number of asthma cases that need hospitalization, and the number of asthma cases in the emergency departments of the hospitals of the Kingdom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajed M Al-Otaibi
- Department of Respiratory Therapy, Faculty of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid A Ansari
- Department of Health Sciences, University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol, UK
| | - Osama Hamad
- Health Information Management and Technology Department, College of Public Health, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Turki M Alanzi
- Health Information Management and Technology Department, College of Public Health, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
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