Multiple uses of app instead of using multiple apps – a case for rethinking the digital health technology toolbox

Torous, John; Vaidyam, Aditya

doi:10.1017/s2045796020000013

Cited by 20 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Additionally, few apps offered feature combinations beyond the common pairs of mindfulness/deep breathing and mood‐tracking/journaling. This finding corresponds to prior work highlighting the lack of comprehensive apps that would facilitate multiple diverse uses, as opposed to a single function or more limited set of uses 31 . As other authors have emphasized, however, simply offering evidence‐based components and features does not necessarily mean that an app itself is efficacious 32 …”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

“…This finding corresponds to prior work highlighting the lack of comprehensive apps that would facilitate multiple diverse uses, as opposed to a single function or more limited set of uses. 31 As other authors have emphasized, however, simply offering evidence-based components and features does not necessarily mean that an app itself is efficacious. 32 Our results confirm reports of overall lack of evidence in the mental health app space.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessing mental health apps marketplaces with objective metrics from 29,190 data points from 278 apps

Lagan

D’Mello

Vaidyam

et al. 2021

Acta Psychiatr Scand

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Objective: Utilizing a standard framework that may help clinicians and patients to identify relevant mental health apps, we sought to gain a comprehensive picture of the space by searching for, downloading, and reviewing 278 mental health apps from both the iOS and Android stores. Methods: 278 mental health apps from the Apple iOS store and Google Play store were downloaded and reviewed in a standardized manner by trained app raters using a validated framework. Apps were evaluated with this framework comprising 105 questions and covering app origin and accessibility, privacy and security, inputs and outputs, clinical foundation, features and engagement style, and interoperability. Results: Our results confirm that app stars and downloads-even for the most popular apps by these metrics-did not correlate with more clinically relevant metrics related to privacy/security, effectiveness, and engagement. Most mental health apps offer similar functionality, with 16.5% offering both mood tracking and journaling and 7% offering psychoeducation, deep breathing, mindfulness, journaling, and mood tracking. Only 36.4% of apps were updated with a 100-day window, and 7.5% of apps had not been updated in four years. Conclusion: Current app marketplace metrics commonly used to evaluate apps do not offer an accurate representation of individual apps or a comprehensive overview of the entire space. The majority of apps overlap in terms of features offered, with many domains and other features not well represented. Selecting an appropriate app continues to require personal matching given no clear trends or guidance offered by quantitative metrics alone. K E Y W O R D S digital health, apps, internet therapy Significant outcomes• App store star ratings and number of downloads are not associated with app features, function, or evidence. • Mood/symptom tracking, journaling, mindfulness, psychoeducation, and deep breathing are the five most common offering of mental health apps. • Nearly 1/3 of apps may update in a 100-day period, suggesting need to for constant evaluation.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing mental health apps marketplaces with objective metrics from 29,190 data points from 278 apps

Lagan

D’Mello

Vaidyam

et al. 2021

Acta Psychiatr Scand

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The feedback and themes collected from focus groups at all three sites will inform both front end user interface and content, as well as technical modifications to mindLAMP in an iterative manner. Collecting data from each site will also help ensure that the application is deployed in a manner that is culturally meaningful in distinct settings, offering a unique viewpoint of how one app can be customized to meet diverse local needs (Torous and Vaidyam, 2020 ). In Phase 2 of this project, the mindLAMP app will be used in a clinical study to assess its effectiveness in predicting and preventing relapse in schizophrenia at the same three sites.…”

Section: Objectivementioning

confidence: 99%

Cross cultural and global uses of a digital mental health app: results of focus groups with clinicians, patients and family members in India and the United States

et al. 2021

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Background Despite significant advancements in healthcare technology, digital health solutions – especially those for serious mental illnesses – continue to fall short of their potential across both clinical practice and efficacy. The utility and impact of medicine, including digital medicine, hinges on relationships, trust, and engagement, particularly in the field of mental health. This paper details results from Phase 1 of a two-part study that seeks to engage people with schizophrenia, their family members, and clinicians in co-designing a digital mental health platform for use across different cultures and contexts in the United States and India. Methods Each site interviewed a mix of clinicians, patients, and their family members in focus groups (n = 20) of two to six participants. Open-ended questions and discussions inquired about their own smartphone use and, after a demonstration of the mindLAMP platform, specific feedback on the app's utility, design, and functionality. Results Our results based on thematic analysis indicate three common themes: increased use and interest in technology during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), concerns over how data are used and shared, and a desire for concurrent human interaction to support app engagement. Conclusion People with schizophrenia, their family members, and clinicians are open to integrating technology into treatment to better understand their condition and help inform treatment. However, app engagement is dependent on technology that is complementary – not substitutive – of therapeutic care from a clinician.

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“…Torous and Vaidyam suggested an innovative way to solve challenges around evidencebased recommendations of health apps, safety, privacy, user-friendliness, and compatibility with older or cheaper phones [102]. They suggested a collaborative approach aimed at developing a single, open-source app that provides the core functions users expect from many digital health apps-an app with multiple uses instead of multiple apps [102]. This led to the mindLAMP project [103].…”

Section: App-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The integration of digital healthcare and traditional medical services into "digital clinics" may be critical to the uptake of health apps [102]. In the Accenture 2020 Digital Health Consumer Survey, 54% of US consumers were willing to receive virtual care from traditional medical care providers, versus 27% for virtual services from technology or social media companies [23].…”

Section: App-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychiatry in the Digital Age: A Blessing or a Curse?

Roth

Papassotiropoulos

Brühl

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Social distancing and the shortage of healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of population aging on the healthcare system, as well as the rapid pace of digital innovation are catalyzing the development and implementation of new technologies and digital services in psychiatry. Is this transformation a blessing or a curse for psychiatry? To answer this question, we conducted a literature review covering a broad range of new technologies and eHealth services, including telepsychiatry; computer-, internet-, and app-based cognitive behavioral therapy; virtual reality; digital applied games; a digital medicine system; omics; neuroimaging; machine learning; precision psychiatry; clinical decision support; electronic health records; physician charting; digital language translators; and online mental health resources for patients. We found that eHealth services provide effective, scalable, and cost-efficient options for the treatment of people with limited or no access to mental health care. This review highlights innovative technologies spearheading the way to more effective and safer treatments. We identified artificially intelligent tools that relieve physicians from routine tasks, allowing them to focus on collaborative doctor–patient relationships. The transformation of traditional clinics into digital ones is outlined, and the challenges associated with the successful deployment of digitalization in psychiatry are highlighted.

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Multiple uses of app instead of using multiple apps – a case for rethinking the digital health technology toolbox

Cited by 20 publications

References 10 publications

Assessing mental health apps marketplaces with objective metrics from 29,190 data points from 278 apps

Assessing mental health apps marketplaces with objective metrics from 29,190 data points from 278 apps

Cross cultural and global uses of a digital mental health app: results of focus groups with clinicians, patients and family members in India and the United States

Psychiatry in the Digital Age: A Blessing or a Curse?

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