COVID-19 Mobile Apps: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Abstract

Background A vast amount of mobile apps have been developed during the past few months in an attempt to “flatten the curve” of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases. Objective This systematic review aims to shed light into studies found in the scientific literature that have used and evaluated mobile apps for the prevention, management, treatment, or follow-up of COVID-19. Methods We searched the bibliographic databases Global Literature on Coronavirus Disease, PubMed, and Scopus to identify papers focusing on mobile apps for COVID-19 that show evidence of their real-life use and have been developed involving clinical professionals in their design or validation. Results Mobile apps have been implemented for training, information sharing, risk assessment, self-management of symptoms, contact tracing, home monitoring, and decision making, rapidly offering effective and usable tools for managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions Mobile apps are considered to be a valuable tool for citizens, health professionals, and decision makers in facing critical challenges imposed by the pandemic, such as reducing the burden on hospitals, providing access to credible information, tracking the symptoms and mental health of individuals, and discovering new predictors.

The Role of the mHealth in the Fight against the Covid-19: Successes and Failures

“…The Covid-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented impetus for the development of mHealth [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. This development involved both the enhancement and standardization of already consolidated solutions in digital health and the exploration of new potentials such as those of the DCT [ 8 , 9 ]. In many cases, the simple mTech itself has represented a real lifebuoy [ 6 , 7 ] both for the continuation of normal activities (working and teaching) and for providing a safety net.…”

“…The third role is specific to this pandemic and consists in providing mHealth solutions for controlling and monitoring the spread of the pandemic, such as through App-based solutions for the digital contact tracing [ 8 , 9 ].…”

“…Among the above listed smartphone features useful in the context of the DCT [ 8 , 9 ], we find in particular: The capability to find in virtual stores (Google Play and Apple Store) easily to be installed Apps; The availability of the functions GPS and Bluetooth and the related evolutions. The accessibility to speedy networks and very wide databases.…”

“…Virtually almost all governments on the planet have invested energy to build App-based solutions for the DCT ; some governments creating national Apps for DCT s (like Italy), other ones creating local regional Apps (like the USA); some nations carrying out a precise monitoring of the population, based on GPS, even on a mandatory basis; other nations using Bluetooth based protocols, with a purely voluntary membership, to ensure greater respect for privacy [ 8 , 9 ].…”

App Use and Usability of a Barcode-Based Digital Platform to Augment COVID-19 Contact Tracing: Postpilot Survey and Paradata Analysis

“…Across the United States, contact tracing efforts have been implemented to varying extents [ 11 - 17 ]. When an individual is confirmed or suspected to be positive for COVID-19, contact tracers will interview that person and identify any close contacts that they have had during their infectious window.…”