Chinese Cardiovascular Disease Mobile Apps’ Information Types, Information Quality, and Interactive Functions for Self-Management: Systematic Review

Abstract

BackgroundChina has a large population with cardiovascular disease (CVD) that requires extensive self-management. Mobile health (mHealth) apps may be a useful tool for CVD self-management. Little is currently known about the types and quality of health information provided in Chinese CVD mobile apps and whether app functions are conducive to promoting CVD self-management.ObjectiveWe undertook a systematic review to evaluate the types and quality of health information provided in Chinese CVD mobile apps and interactive app functions for promoting CVD self-management.MethodsMobile apps targeting end users in China with CVD conditions were selected in February 2017 through a multi-stage process. Three frameworks were used to evaluate the selected apps: (1) types of health information offered were assessed using our Health Information Wants framework, which encompasses 7 types of information; (2) quality of information provided in the apps was assessed using the 11 guidelines recommended by the National Library of Medicine of the National Institutes of Health; and (3) types of interactive app functions for CVD self-management were assessed using a 15-item framework adapted from the literature, including our own prior work.ResultsOf 578 apps identified, 82 were eligible for final review. Among these, information about self-care (67/82, 82%) and information specifically regarding CVD (63/82, 77%) were the most common types of information provided, while information about health care providers (22/82, 27%) and laboratory tests (5/82, 6%) were least common. The most common indicators of information quality were the revealing of apps’ providers (82/82, 100%) and purpose (82/82, 100%), while the least common quality indicators were the revealing of how apps’ information was selected (1/82, 1%) and app sponsorship (0/82, 0%). The most common interactive functions for CVD self-management were those that enabled user interaction with the app provider (57/82, 70%) and with health care providers (36/82, 44%), while the least common interactive functions were those that enabled lifestyle management (13/82, 16%) and psychological health management (6/82, 7%). None of the apps covered all 7 types of health information, all 11 indicators of information quality, or all 15 interactive functions for CVD self-management.ConclusionsChinese CVD apps are insufficient in providing comprehensive health information, high-quality information, and interactive functions to facilitate CVD self-management. End users should exercise caution when using existing apps. Health care professionals and app developers should collaborate to better understand end users’ preferences and follow evidence-based guidelines to develop mHealth apps conducive to CVD self-management.

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“…However, we found that some apps developed in China provided comprehensive CKD knowledge without describing the reference resources. Other researchers have also raised similar observations in mobile apps for cardiovascular disease in China [ 49 , 53 ]. Although some of these apps seem to provide information or advice regarding diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring, and treatment for HCPs and patients, none of the apps state in their introduction whether their function meets the definition of a medical device.…”

“…Each functionality category corresponded to more than 2 aspects. The quality of the information from the mobile apps was analyzed with reference to previous studies [ 36 , 49 ]. Each aspect was regarded as a quality indicator.…”

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“…Esta praticidade é um fato também observado em outros estudos. 4,[8][9][10][11][12] A segunda é a sensação de maior proximidade médico-paciente. 2 Apesar da proximidade médico-paciente proposta pelo programa, dois pacientes consideraram o aplicativo com os vídeos bastante didático, mas afiramram que a explicação do médico sempre vai agregar mais informações.…”

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