Patients’ use of mobile health applications: what general practitioners think

Nguyen, Amy; Frensham, Lauren J; Baysari, Melissa T.; Carland, Jane E.; Day, Richard O.

doi:10.1093/fampra/cmy052

Cited by 41 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…A first strategy is stimulating co-design of mHealth technologies. It has been demonstrated that end-user involvement in the development of mHealth solutions is crucial to support acceptance and adoption of new technologies (42,47,56). This requires a thorough examination of end-user needs and capabilities to use ICT equipment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toward Integration of mHealth in Primary Care in the Netherlands: A Qualitative Analysis of Stakeholder Perspectives

Bally

Cesuroğlu

2020

Front. Public Health

101

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Background: There is a growing need to structurally change the way chronic illness care is organized as health systems struggle to meet the demand for chronic care. mHealth technologies can alter traditional approaches to health care provision by stimulating self-management of chronically ill patients. The aim of this study was to understand the complex environment related to the introduction of mHealth solutions into primary care for chronic disease management while considering health system functioning and stakeholder views.Methods: A transdisciplinary approach was used informed by the Interactive Learning and Action (ILA) methodology. Exploratory interviews (n = 5) were held with representatives of stakeholder groups to identify and position key stakeholders. Subsequently, professionals and chronically ill patients were consulted separately to elaborate on the barriers and facilitators in integration, using semi-structured interviews (n = 17) and a focus group (n = 6). Follow-up interviews (n = 5) were conducted to discuss initial findings of the stakeholder analysis.Results: Most stakeholders, in particular primary care practitioners and patients, seem to have a supporting or mixed attitude toward integration of mHealth. On the other hand, several powerful stakeholders, including primary care information system developers and medical specialists are likely to show resistance or a lack of initiative toward mHealth integration. Main barriers to mHealth integration were a lack of interoperability with existing information systems; difficulties in financing mHealth implementation; and limited readiness in general practices to change. Potential enablers of integration included co-design of mHealth solutions and incentives for pioneers.Conclusion: Stakeholders acknowledge the benefits of integrating mHealth in primary care. However, important barriers perceived by end-users prevent them to fully adopt and use mHealth. This study shows that the complexity of introducing mHealth into primary care calls for strategies encouraging collaboration between multiple stakeholders to enhance successful implementation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toward Integration of mHealth in Primary Care in the Netherlands: A Qualitative Analysis of Stakeholder Perspectives

Bally

Cesuroğlu

2020

Front. Public Health

101

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“…The apps may be of particular benefit in primary care considering the heavy pressure on time and resources as well as the wide range of symptoms, diseases and patient groups involved [16]. The apps would seem ideal as support tools for physicians to use on specific patients in primary care, thus promoting health in the long term [17,18]. Studies have also emphasised the benefits of apps as an aid in optimising differential diagnosis as well as patient and treatment compliance [8,9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most of the general practitioners were more restrained in actively raising the subject or recommending an app in patient consultation, a result that also tallies with those of preliminary studies [17,18,23]. It was more common for patients themselves to mention corresponding apps, this personal interest causing the physician to include the app in the care process.…”

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confidence: 99%

The use of health apps in primary care—results from a survey amongst general practitioners in Germany

Wangler

Jansky

2021

Wien Med Wochenschr

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SummaryMass availability and use of health apps raises the question as to how they might be integrated into healthcare systems towards improving prevention and therapy. This study has researched prevailing opinion on health apps amongst primary care physicians, potential application areas physicians have seen in their experience with these apps up to now, and situations suitable for using apps in patient care. A total of 2138 primary care physicians in the state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, responded to an anonymised written survey between March and June 2020. Physicians with a positive opinion (36%) emphasised motivation and compliance as advantages, whereas sceptical respondents (43%) expressed suspicion regarding data privacy and reliability as well as legal issues and additional workload arising from using the apps. Even so, a clear majority accepted the potential benefit from sensible use of health apps with features providing prevention and lifestyle support (90/76%). With respect to patients using the apps, 54% of respondents saw a positive contribution to healthcare and/or recovery. Despite the perceived benefits of health apps, general practitioners are still reluctant to bring up or recommend health apps in their consultations. Many physicians do not feel capable of giving expert advice to patients on the apps available. Many general practitioners are aware of the potential that health apps may have in improving prevention and treatment. However, there are reservations and uncertainties regarding clarity, transparency, and privacy issues in these apps. More focus should be placed on these concerns to ensure ideal conditions for integrating health apps into primary care.

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“…In an interview series of 10 general practitioners in Australia, physicians reported benefits of mHealth apps including patient education and health recordkeeping, but the technology was not integrated into their workflow. 27 In a survey of 50 general practitioners in Germany, physicians tended to support patients using mobile devices to keep track of medication use, weight, and blood pressure, while they disapproved of patients using mobile devices to look up medical information or assist with self-diagnosing. 28 In a survey of 59 healthcare practitioners' views on directto-consumer mobile teledermoscopy, some respondents noted the advantages of earlier skin cancer detection, but the majority were unsure or unconvinced that these devices should be provided to patients.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%