Application of mobile health to support the elderly during the COVID-19 outbreak: A systematic review

Abbaspur-Behbahani, Sara; Monaghesh, Elham; Hajizadeh, Alireza; Fehresti, Saeedeh

doi:10.1016/j.hlpt.2022.100595

Cited by 65 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…MHealth applications are used by all age groups such as maternal-child groups and older adults [16,17]. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these applications improved the healthcare accessibility and streamlined in-hospital practice workflow and public health systems [18,19].…”

Section: Open Accessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mobile health applications: awareness, attitudes, and practices among medical students in Malaysia

et al. 2022

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Background The popularity of mobile health (mHealth) applications (or apps) in the field of health and medical education is rapidly increasing, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to assess awareness, attitudes, practices, and factors associated with the mHealth app usage among medical students. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study involving medical students at a government university in Sarawak, Malaysia, from February to April 2021. Validated questionnaires were administered to all consenting students. These questionnaires included questions on basic demographic information as well as awareness, attitude toward, and practices with mHealth apps concerned with medical education, health and fitness, and COVID-19 management. Results Respondents had favorable attitudes toward mHealth apps (medical education [61.8%], health and fitness [76.3%], and COVID-19 management [82.7%]). Respondents’ mean attitude scores were four out of five for all three app categories. However, respondents used COVID-19 management apps more frequently (73.5%) than those for medical education (35.7%) and fitness (39.0%). Usage of all three app categories was significantly associated with the respondent’s awareness and attitude. Respondents in the top 20% in term of household income and study duration were more likely to use medical education apps. The number of respondents who used COVID-19 apps was higher in the top 20% household income group than in the other income groups. The most common barrier to the use of apps was uncertainty regarding the most suitable apps to choose. Conclusion Our study highlighted a discrepancy between awareness of mHealth apps and positive attitudes toward them and their use. Recognition of barriers to using mHealth apps by relevant authorities may be necessary to increase the usage of these apps.

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Section: Open Accessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mobile health applications: awareness, attitudes, and practices among medical students in Malaysia

et al. 2022

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“…mHealth apps used in various countries during the pandemic were classified by the type of technology, targeted users, and function based on patient' needs ( 13 ). In addition, the review specifically related to the COVID-19 mHealth apps focused on specific functions, such as contact tracing ( 15 ), and only focused on specific populations, such as older people ( 14 ). Although prior studies have shown the utility and potential benefits of mHealth apps in preventing the pandemic, translating these ideas and early research into clinical tools on patients' mobile devices have received less attention ( 14 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Mobile Health Apps: An Overview of Mobile Applications in Indonesia

Sujarwoto

Augia

Dahlan

et al. 2022

Front. Public Health

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BackgroundMobile health applications (mHealth apps) have been widely used for various purposes for mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic, such as self-assessment, contact tracing, disseminating information, minimizing exposure, and reducing face-to-face health consultation. The objective of this study is to systematically review COVID-19 related mHealth apps and highlight gaps to inform the development of future mHealth initiatives in Indonesia.MethodsA systematic search strategy using a PRISMA flowchart was used to identify mHealth apps available in Google Play and Apple Play stores. We searched mHealth apps using certain specific terms related to COVID-19 outbreaks. The inclusion criteria were apps-based smartphone users related to COVID-19 using local language, free of cost, available in the Google Play and Apple Play Stores, and supported by the Indonesian government. We excluded games, apps on infectious diseases unrelated to COVID-19 specifically, and apps with non-Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian language). The selected mHealth apps were assessed based on two measures: (1) the WHO guidelines on digital health intervention and (2) the four dimensions of the mHealth technology fit framework. In addition, user feedback from experienced and non-experienced users was conducted to evaluate four dimensions of the apps.ResultsA total of 339 mHealth apps were generated from the initial search, remaining seven selected apps that met inclusion criteria. The results highlighted that mHealth apps reviewed had still not been widely used by the general public. The applications were purposed to disseminate information, conduct a self-risk assessment, provide an online community forum, and telemedicine or teleconsultation regarding COVID-19. Data services, including data storage, aggregation, and data exchange, are available in most apps. The rarest function found was contact tracing and assisting health management and health workers, such as the availability of testing facilities, reporting test results, and prescribing medication. The main issues reported were the lack of data security and data privacy protection, integration and infrastructures, usability, and usefulness.ConclusionOur study highlighted the necessity to improve mHealth apps' functions related to assisting health workers and the function of digital contact tracing. An effort to increase public awareness regarding the use of mHealth is also necessary to streamline the function of this innovation. Policymakers must consider usefulness, usability, integration, and infrastructure issues to improve their mHealth function.

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“…In particular, the opportunities and challenges of mHealth have been evident in the promotion of health and well-being among the elderly during the COVID-19 outbreak. According to a systematic review of 10 studies on mHealth interventions for the health of older populations during the COVID-19 pandemic, mHealth services were used for treatment, health information provision, self-monitoring, and clinical consultations [62]. Meanwhile, the availability of mHealth devices, mobile Internet access, and the elderly's skills and capabilities were barriers that should be addressed [62].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to a systematic review of 10 studies on mHealth interventions for the health of older populations during the COVID-19 pandemic, mHealth services were used for treatment, health information provision, self-monitoring, and clinical consultations [62]. Meanwhile, the availability of mHealth devices, mobile Internet access, and the elderly's skills and capabilities were barriers that should be addressed [62]. While COVID-19 could boost the development of digital health, thus affecting the quality of life, the digital divide could exacerbate health disparities across generations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Addressing the Social Determinants of Health in South Korea: Moderating Role of mHealth Technologies

Yoo

2022

IJERPH

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Mobile health (mHealth) technologies may reduce or widen health inequalities. Despite the extensive literature in support of both of these contrasting views, little attention has been paid to the role of mHealth technologies with regard to social strata and health in the context of South Korea, a country with one of the highest usages of smartphones worldwide. This study examined the effects of social determinants on health self-efficacy and health status and explored how mHealth technologies moderate the impacts of social determinants on health outcomes. Data were collected via online surveys from 29 July to 3 August 2021. Survey data from 1187 Korean adults showed that men had higher levels of health self-efficacy than women. The higher an individual’s education level, the greater their subjective health status. Individuals with higher levels of monthly household income, social capital, and healthcare quality reported higher levels of health self-efficacy and superior health status. The use of mHealth technologies moderated the associations between social determinants and health outcomes. Specifically, monthly household income and social capital had smaller effects on health self-efficacy and health status among those who used higher levels of mHealth technologies. Among higher users of mHealth technologies, females reported better health status than males, while men showed better health status than women in the low-user group. These findings highlight the effectiveness of mHealth technologies in addressing health disparities.

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Application of mobile health to support the elderly during the COVID-19 outbreak: A systematic review

Cited by 65 publications

References 31 publications

Mobile health applications: awareness, attitudes, and practices among medical students in Malaysia

Mobile health applications: awareness, attitudes, and practices among medical students in Malaysia

COVID-19 Mobile Health Apps: An Overview of Mobile Applications in Indonesia

Addressing the Social Determinants of Health in South Korea: Moderating Role of mHealth Technologies

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