Mobile Applications for Stroke Prevention: A Survey of Physicians’ Perspectives

Abstract

Background:Little is known about the prevalence and nature of mobile application adoption in clinical practice.Aims: To explore current and potential mobile application use in primary care physicians (PCPs) for stroke prevention. Do PCPs recommend, use, or discuss mobile health applications for stroke preventative measures?Methods: Current PCPs in the New York City area specializing in Internal Medicine, Ob/Gyn, and Family Medicine were surveyed in person. The survey consisted of demographic questions and 11 questions on mobile application use. Results:Of the 86 physicians surveyed (53% female; mean age 37 years, SD 12), 74% (95% CI 65%, 84%) reported using mobile applications in patient care, whether for their own use or in recommending to patients. Experience was the most important determining factor, with 82% of physicians with less than 3 years practice experience using mobile apps, 78% of physicians with 3 to 10 years, 60% of physicians with 11 to 20 years, and 58% of physicians with greater than 20 years experience (p=0.045). Physicians reported using mobile applications to manage stroke risk factors 25% (95% CI 16%, 35%) of the time, while 77% (95% CI 68%, 86%) expressed interest in new apps to help their patients manage these risks. Lastly, 41% (95% CI 30%, 51%) of physicians surveyed strongly agreed that mobile applications are useful in providing patient care, while 49% (95% CI 38%, 59%) simply agreed and 0% disagreed. Conclusions:Most urban PCPs we surveyed believe that mobile applications belong in healthcare, with one in four using them to manage stroke risk factors.

Improving pregnancy care during the COVID-19 pandemic for pregnant women as vulnerable groups through assistance at the primary health care facility

“…19 Pregnant women who attended pregnancy classes via text messaging had a higher mean antenatal care score with more than six visits, and increased participation in syphilis and HIV screening. 20 Pregnant women who participate in the pregnancy class are 2.2 times more likely to get adequate antenatal care, 2.7 times more likely to use midwives for childbirth, and 2.8 times more likely to give birth in health care facilities compared to other non-health facilities. 21 Based on the analysis, the pregnancy class provided media to promote the efforts in reducing maternal mortality and high-risk pregnancies.…”

The Quest for Managing Stroke through A Mobile Device Application: A Review Study of Innovative Technologies Related to Cerebrovascular Accident

“…According to a case-controlled study with 6,000 individuals within the United States, 90% of strokes can be attributed to just 9 modifiable risk factors (Halket, Singer, Balucani, Stefanov, & Levine, 2017). Halket et al (2017) also studied targeted interventions to reduce blood pressure and cigarette smoking as well as to promote physical activity and a healthy diet which could substantially reduce the risk of stroke. There are multiple health-related mobile applications curated specifically to manage such vascular risk factors (Boateng, Batsis, Halter, & Kotz, 2017).…”

“…In a recent study, 69% of primary care physicians (PCPs) responded that they do not discuss any mobile applications for any kind for primary stroke prevention with patients (Halket et al, 2017). In the same study, however, 77% of PCPs, expressed interest in a mobile application that targeted primary stroke prevention.…”

“…Thus, edification within the context of new digital platforms related to this specific cause is needed. In a recent study targeting primary care physicians (PCPs) in the New York City area, 69% of physicians responded that they do not discuss any options for primary stroke prevention through the aid of mobile applications with patients (Halket, Singer, Balucani, Stefanov, & Levine, 2017). At the present time, there are multiple mobile applications that manage each controllable factor of a stroke, such as weight, hypertension and cholesterol, and yet, there is not a single platform specifically designed for managing a stroke.…”

Functional measurement post-stroke via mobile application and body-worn sensor technology

“…This system consists of two wearable sensors and a mobile application (app) designed to be a comprehensive support management system for patients post-stroke. Current market-available, stroke-focused mobile applications have limited utility and focus on providing only one aspect of support, such as exercise plans or clinical measurement tools for healthcare providers (11,15). In the development of this app, healthcare providers collaborated with computer science application developers using the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) model to determine meaningful features as they pertain to individuals who have suffered a stroke.…”