Thanks to McMaster Health Systems Evidence Service:
CITATION: Giebel GD, Speckemeier C, Abels C, Plescher F, Börchers K, Wasem J, et al. Problems and barriers related to the use of digital health applications: Scoping review. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 2023;25:e43808
https://www.jmir.org/2023/1/e43808/PDF
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The digitization of health care led to a steady increase in the adoption and use of mobile health (mHealth) apps. Germany is the first country in the world to cover the costs of mHealth apps through statutory health insurance. Although the benefits of mHealth apps are discussed in detail, aspects of problems and barriers are rarely studied.
OBJECTIVE: This scoping review aimed to map and categorize the evidence on problems and barriers related to the use of mHealth apps.
METHODS: Systematic searches were conducted in the MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO databases...
RESULTS: Of the 1479 publications, 21 (1.42%) met the inclusion criteria... The identified publications were analyzed for problems and barriers. Problems and barriers were classified into 10 categories ("validity," "usability," "technology," "use and adherence," "data privacy and security," "patient-physician relationship," "knowledge and skills," "individuality," "implementation," and "costs"). The most frequently mentioned categories were use and adherence (eg, incorporating the app into daily life or dropouts from use; n=22) and usability (eg, ease of use and design; n=19).
CONCLUSIONS: The search identified various problems and barriers in the context of mHealth apps. Although problems at the app level (such as usability) are studied frequently, problems at the system level are addressed rather vaguely. To ensure optimal use of and care with mHealth apps, it is essential to consider all types of problems and barriers. Therefore, researchers and policy makers should have a special focus on this issue to identify the needs for quality assurance.
EXTRACT: 'Some content was declared as inappropriate, wrong, or ambiguous. Patients and health care staff stated that the depth and quality of information was often not suitable'
HIFA profile: Neil Pakenham-Walsh is coordinator of HIFA (Healthcare Information For All), a global health community that brings all stakeholders together around the shared goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. HIFA has 20,000 members in 180 countries, interacting in four languages and representing all parts of the global evidence ecosystem. HIFA is administered by Global Healthcare Information Network, a UK-based nonprofit in official relations with the World Health Organization. Email: neil@hifa.org